Communicating Science: John Maynard Smith and Evolutionary Biology in Post-War Britain
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Leeds
Department Name: School of PRHS
Abstract
John Maynard Smith (1920-2004) was leading in British post-war evolutionary biology/ Studying his scientific, public and teaching activities is crucial to the history of science communication - strongly linked to science production, between there is "no genuine separation" (Secord in Topham 2009: 311), and including issues of expertise (Collins and Evans 2002), networks of knowledge dissemination, and issues of controversy (within academia only or publicly), and "experts-lay people" controversies (Collins and Pinch 1993).
This research will also utilise scientific biography as "weak history" making "strong history stonger" (Green 2007: 728f) by taking JMS to learn more about the circumstances and the historical development of evolutionary biology.
Studying Peter Debye's (1884-1966) time as director of the Leipzig Physics Institute for my master thesis, I have acquired first-hand experience in archival research and the life of science organisers in times of internationalisation and politicisation. Participation in the project "Scientific Uncertainties" introduced me to "popular science"; my bachelor thesis focused on knowledge transmissions. My study of the co-construction of JS Back's genius by different media will benefit the question of how born-digital elements of JMS's archive have affected science production and communication over time.
This research will also utilise scientific biography as "weak history" making "strong history stonger" (Green 2007: 728f) by taking JMS to learn more about the circumstances and the historical development of evolutionary biology.
Studying Peter Debye's (1884-1966) time as director of the Leipzig Physics Institute for my master thesis, I have acquired first-hand experience in archival research and the life of science organisers in times of internationalisation and politicisation. Participation in the project "Scientific Uncertainties" introduced me to "popular science"; my bachelor thesis focused on knowledge transmissions. My study of the co-construction of JS Back's genius by different media will benefit the question of how born-digital elements of JMS's archive have affected science production and communication over time.
People |
ORCID iD |
| Gregory Radick (Primary Supervisor) | |
| Helen Piel (Student) |
| Title | "Dear John": The 'Kin Selection' Controversy |
| Description | This performance combined a reading of letters from the archives of three evolutionary biologists (John Maynard Smith, William D. Hamilton, George R. Price) with academic discussion. It was developed in collaboration with Undercurrent Theatre (first Associate Theatre Company of the British Library, 2017-2018), with its artistic director Laura Farnworth as my main contact. The topic was a priority dispute between Maynard Smith and Hamilton over the concept of "inclusive fitness", developed by Hamilton in the early 1960s. The letters are quite expressive in terms of the emotional strain this controversy put on the scientists and were thus read almost all in full. We engaged the actor Neal Craig to portray all three characters, stood and sat on a small stage and in period clothes. I developed a script that broke the letters into sections interjected with me giving background on the people, keeping track of the timeline, and providing discussion of the scientific terms and issues - such as, why is priority important? |
| Type Of Art | Performance (Music, Dance, Drama, etc) |
| Year Produced | 2018 |
| Impact | The event was sold out and stimulated engaging discussion with audience member afterwards. It has also been such a success that it will be recorded as a podcast for the British Library's website and be re-staged again during the British Science Week in March 2019, this time at a bigger venue. |
| URL | https://www.bl.uk/events/dear-john-the-kin-selection-controversy |
| Description | WRoCAH Small Award |
| Amount | £165 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | WSA1640 |
| Organisation | White Rose College of Arts and Humanities |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 10/2018 |
| End | 10/2018 |
| Description | "Dear John": The 'Kin Selection' Controversy |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | This performance is based on archival material and research I'm conducting. It discusses a priority dispute between John Maynard Smith and William D. Hamilton on the idea of kin selection/inclusive fitness. The first time we performed it we sold out and had such positive feedback that we are re-staged it in a larger venue and recorded it as a podcast. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017,2018 |
| URL | https://www.bl.uk/events/dear-john-the-kin-selection-controversy-2019 |
| Description | "Evolutionist Maynard Smith on Science and Religion" |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | This talk was part of the British Library's lunchtime research talk series "Feed the Mind". It was well attended; members of John Maynard Smith's family attended, as did people with both religious and scientific backgrounds. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| URL | https://www.bl.uk/events/evolutionist-maynard-smith-on-science-and-religion |
| Description | 'Most distinguished Darwinian since Darwin': William D. Hamilton |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | This blog was published to publicise an event based on archival material and research I engage with. It is a short biography of William D. Hamilton, who was involved in a priority dispute with John Maynard Smith. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| URL | http://blogs.bl.uk/untoldlives/2018/04/most-distinguished-darwinian-since-darwin-william-d-hamilton.... |
| Description | British Library Case Study, including video |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | The British Library has a section on its website called "Case Studies" on which it presents cases of research collaboration. As part of that case study, I was interviewed and filmed both at the University of Leeds and the British Library; the video is available both on the case study website and on youtube. I have also summarised my research with a focus on the British Library activities. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| URL | https://www.bl.uk/case-studies/helen-piel |
| Description | Calculating Kindness: George Price |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | This blog was published to publicise an event based on archival material and research I am engaged with. It is a short biography of George R. Price, who collaborated with John Maynard Smith in the 1970s. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| URL | http://blogs.bl.uk/untoldlives/2018/04/calculating-kindness-george-price.html |
| Description | Did Man Get Here by Evolution or by Creation? |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | This blog was published during Science Week 2018 on the British Library's Science Blog. It was inspired by a book and letter found in, and subsequently catalogued for, the John Maynard Smith Archive. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| URL | http://blogs.bl.uk/science/2018/03/did-man-get-here-by-evolution-or-by-creation.html |
| Description | Local Heroes: John Maynard Smith (1920-2004): A good "puzzle-solver" with an "accidental career" |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | I published a blog on the British Library's Science Blog for Science Week 2018. The blog is a biography of John Maynard Smith. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| URL | http://blogs.bl.uk/science/2017/03/local-heroes-john-maynard-smith-1920-2004-a-good-puzzle-solver-wi... |
| Description | Senior Statesman of British Biology: John Maynard Smith |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | This blog was published to publicise an event based on archival material and research I am engaged with. It is a short biography of John Maynard Smith. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| URL | http://blogs.bl.uk/untoldlives/2018/05/senior-statesman-of-british-biology-john-maynard-smith.html |