PhD in History and Philosophy of Science
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Students in history and philosophy of science and medicine write substantial, focused and independent theses that shape scholarship and engage audiences in many different ways. Contributing to the development of knowledge in the University of Cambridge is a rich and rewarding experience.
Expert guidance
The outstanding international reputation of our teaching staff is a key attraction.
PhD students work closely with a doctoral supervisor and advisor (usually both from the Department of History and Philosophy of Science but sometimes from other departments in the University). With the benefit of this expert guidance, students learn how to articulate, develop and present their own research. Students meet their supervisor and advisor several times a term to discuss an outline, consider research findings or go over a chapter. Consistent review and attentive feedback are integral to the supervisory relationship.
Applicants often find it helpful to contact a potential supervisor before submitting their application.
Key research areas
- History of medicine, including generation and reproduction
Mary Brazelton, Rosanna Dent, Nick Hopwood, Lauren Kassell, Dániel Margócsy, Staffan Müller-Wille - History of natural history
Dániel Margócsy, Staffan Müller-Wille - History of natural philosophy
Lauren Kassell, Dániel Margócsy, Staffan Müller-Wille - History of physical sciences
Hasok Chang, Joshua Nall, Richard Staley - History of life sciences
Rosanna Dent, Nick Hopwood, Staffan Müller-Wille - History of human and social sciences
Rosanna Dent, Staffan Müller-Wille, Richard Staley - Sciences, technologies and empires
- East Asia: Mary Brazelton
- Southeast Asia: Dániel Margócsy
- South Asia: Charu Singh
- Latin America: Rosanna Dent
- Europe and North America: Nick Hopwood, Lauren Kassell, Joshua Nall, Staffan Müller-Wille, Richard Staley
- History of instruments, models and museums
Hasok Chang, Joshua Nall - History of science communication
Nick Hopwood, Dániel Margócsy, Joshua Nall, Charu Singh - General philosophy of science
Hasok Chang, Tim Lewens - Philosophy and history of climate change
Ahmad Elabbar, Richard Staley - Philosophy of physical sciences
Hasok Chang, Ahmad Elabbar - Philosophy of values in science
Anna Alexandrova, Hasok Chang, Stephen John, Tim Lewens - Philosophy of science in policy
- Social policy: Anna Alexandrova
- Public health policy: Stephen John
- Medical regulation: Stephen John, Tim Lewens
- Philosophy of measurement and quantification
Anna Alexandrova, Hasok Chang, Stephen John - Philosophy of social and psychological sciences
Anna Alexandrova, Ahmad Elabbar, Marta Halina - Philosophy of cognitive science, animal minds and AI
Harriet Fagerberg, Marta Halina - Philosophy of psychiatry and mental health
Anna Alexandrova, Harriet Fagerberg - Philosophy of medicine
Harriet Fagerberg, Stephen John, Tim Lewens - Philosophy of biology
Marta Halina, Tim Lewens, Staffan Müller-Wille - Bioethics and public health ethics
Ahmad Elabbar, Stephen John, Tim Lewens
A thriving research community
Our research community offers invaluable academic and social perspectives.
With around 45 doctoral students, a strong cohort of MPhil and Part III students, postdoctoral researchers and teaching officers, the Department fosters an exceptionally active intellectual life. Thriving seminars, reading groups and workshops provide a focus, allowing students to help set the agenda and present their own work among peers. Students are supported throughout their studies, with close attention paid to methodological development, research skills and career advice.
The Department's Whipple Library is an unparalleled specialist collection for history and philosophy of science and medicine, while other libraries in Cambridge provide access to archival and documentary resources invaluable for research on the sciences. At the heart of the Department is the Whipple Museum, a world-class collection of scientific instruments and models; some students research these objects.
Valuable teaching experience
Cambridge offers PhD students unusually valuable teaching experience through the chance to give supervisions (tutorials) for undergraduates taking History and Philosophy of Science courses. PhD students are paid by the Colleges for this service. The University and the Department provide training in supervising undergraduates.
