Science for the People: Documents from America's Movement of Radical Scientists

by Sigrid Schmalzer (Editor), Daniel S. Chard (Editor), Alyssa Botelho (Editor)

For the first time, this book compiles original documents from Science for the People, the most important radical science movement in U.S. history. Between 1969 and 1989, Science for the People mobilized American scientists, teachers, and students to practice a socially and economically just science, rather than one that served militarism and corporate profits. Through research, writing, protest, and organizing, members sought to demystify scientific knowledge and embolden "the people" to take science and technology into their own hands. The movement's numerous publications were crucial to the formation of science and technology studies, challenging mainstream understandings of science as "neutral" and instead showing it as inherently political. Its members, some at prominent universities, became models for politically engaged science and scholarship by using their knowledge to challenge, rather than uphold, the social, political, and economic status quo.

Highlighting Science for the People's activism and intellectual interventions in a range of areas―including militarism, race, gender, medicine, agriculture, energy, and global affairs―this volume offers vital contributions to today's debates on science, justice, democracy, sustainability, and political power.

Genres: Science, Activism, Nonfiction

264 pages, Paperback

Published January 24, 2018

About the author

Sigrid Schmalzer received her Ph.D. in History and Science Studies in 2004 from the University of California, San Diego. Her research focuses on social, cultural, and political aspects of the history of science in modern China and also includes the history of science activism transnationally. She has published numerous academic books and articles, along with a children’s picture book based on her research.

Reviews

[Noah · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing overview of the history of the organization. A must read for all scientists and others looking to reimagine a better science, one for the people. It provides many explicit examples of programs that were effective while also being honest about shortcomings. The book functions well as a jumping off point for gaining a deeper understanding of some specific issues that exist today (i.e. the environment, militarism, race/gender/sexuality) and so has certainly added several articles and books to my reading list.

[Saba Houmani · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lowering my rating after finding out these guys were way too soft on Edward Teller