AD HOC (Association for the Discussion of the History of Chemistry) is a group dedicated to the history of chemistry. AD HOC has been meeting in various configurations since the summer of 2004, at UCL and Cambridge. Since 2008 our activities have been generously supported by the Society for the History of Alchemy and Chemistry (SHAC).
While our main focus is historical, we also consider the philosophical, sociological, public and educational dimensions of chemistry. This year we are interested in exploring the connections between chemistry and various other areas of science and life. We begin with the theme of chemistry and the environment this term.
Our meetings will be on Mondays, 5.00–6.30pm in the HPS Board Room and online. The links for joining the online meetings and all updates on future activities will be circulated to the mailing list of the group. If you would like to be on the list please email Hasok Chang (hc372) or Mika Hyman (mjh291).
Michaelmas Term 2025
3 November
Anna Marie Roos (University of Lincoln)
will discuss her 'Van Helmont, Salts, and Natural History in Early Modern England', chapter 3 of The Salt of the Earth: Natural Philosophy, Medicine, and Chymistry in England, 1650–1750 (Brill, 2007), pp. 47–107.
17 November
Richard Staley (HPS, University of Cambridge)
will lead the discussion of Matthew Shindell, 'From the End of the World to the Age of the Earth: The Cold War Development of Isotope Geochemistry at the University of Chicago and Caltech', in Naomi Oreskes and John Krige, eds., Science and Technology in the Global Cold War (MIT Press, 2014), pp. 107–40.
1 December
Sabine Clarke (University of York)
will give a talk on 'Testing toxins: how the history of engineering can help explain how dangerous chemicals get into use'.