Department of History of Science, Technology and Medicine, Peking University;
and the CAST-PKU Joint Institute for Science Culture
2021 Annual Report
In 2021, under the pressure of a tight budget, regular epidemic prevention measures, and the uncertainty of the Covid situation, the HSTM insisted on academic research as the main task and team construction as the foundation. With the support of the university authorities, relevant departments, and peer faculties, the HSTM will continue to follow the direction of the discipline establishment of the history of science and technology in China and the research& construction of the culture of science. We will learn from the experience of building a world-class history of science discipline, unite leading scholars in relevant fields, respond to the call of the era and the nation, as well as expand the influence at home and abroad, in order to promote the history of science& technology discipline with Beida characteristics to new heights.
Key Priorities
I. Organized the academic conference of "Peking University and the Development of Science in Modern China" and launched the "Development of Science in PKU" Project
The "Development of Science in PKU" project was funded by the Li Ge& Zhao Ning’s Alumni Foundation, which represented the fundamental tasks of “fostering virtue through education” and the initiatives of the “double world-class” aim directed by the idea of "running a university rooted in soil of Chinese Civilization". The project played an important role in salvaging and advocating the significant achievements and important figures of PKU's involvement in the development of science and technology in China, as well as in promoting the spirit of PKU scientists and building a scientific culture.
From 26 to 27, June 2021, the much-anticipated academic conference of "Peking University and the Development of Science in Modern China" was held at the Yingjie Overseas Exchange Center. More than 40 experts and scholars from various frontier fields were invited to report presentations with innovative themes and profound ideas. They were engaged in an in-depth dialogue on the research approaches and results of the development of Science in PKU. Over hundreds of participants attended the Conference.
Fig.1 Poster of "Peking University and the Development of Science in Modern China" Conference
During the conference, Academician Han Qide (Honorary Chairman of CAST, and founding director of the Department of HSTM,PKU), Prof. Hao Ping (President of PKU), Academician Huang Ru (Vice President of PKU), Prof. Deng xiaonan (President of the Institute of Humanities and Social Sciences, PKU), Academician Liu Zhongfan (Director of the Research Centre for Nanoscience and Technology, PKU), Prof. Wu Guosheng (Director of the Department of History of Science, Tsinghua University), and Prof. Zhang li (Deputy Director of Department of HSTM, PKU) as well as other experts expressed their views on the significance and methods of the "Development of Science in PKU" project. Mr. Zhao Jun read out the letter of congratulationon behalf of Mr. Li Ge &Mrs. Zhao Ning Couple, who are alumni of PKU and the key sponsors of the project. Thus, a new chapter of the project began.
Fig.2 the Logo of "Development of Science in PKU" project
The conference lasted for two days, with two main conference reports and seven breakout sessions, as well as a roundtable session. The conference was full of diverse academic perspectives and sparks with the collision of ideas. More than 50 experts and scholars from PKU, THU (Tsinghua University), USTC (University of Science and Technology of China), SJTU (Shanghai Jiao Tong University), CAS (Chinese Academy of Sciences), CASS (Chinese Academy of Social Sciences), etc. conducted in-depth discussions and insights to the project at both the theoretical and practical levels. The Conference included various academic topics such as “Peking University and the Development of Science in Modern China”, “Science in PKU and Modern Chinese Society”, “Development of Science in PKU through Personal Experience, Oral Narratives and Memories", " Discipline and Institution studies on Development of Science in PKU", "Scientists and Their Academic Ideas of Science in PKU", "Archival documents and historical objects of Science in PKU", and "The Development of Science in PKU through a Cross-Disciplinary Perspective".
Fig. 3 Guests at the Conference
The conference was well supported by the University's Office of discipline construction, Office of Scientific Research, Office of humanities and social sciences, Archives of PKU, Museum of PKU History, PKU Press, Office of Human Resources, Policy and Regulations Research Office. We extended our most sincere appreciate to them for the generous help!
In the next step, the Department plans to promote the project in the areas of data collection, theoretical research, activity planning, programme application, and cultural& creative advocacy around the core themes of scientific research, scientist spirit, and construction of scientific culture with Beida characteristics.
II. Growing Faculty, Evolving Curriculum, Open & Inclusive Atmosphere
This year, the number of faculties under new system has been expanded to 4. The Italian faculty member previously affected by the overseas Covid situations have officially come to join the Department. A postgraduate training and curriculum system for the discipline of History of Science with Beida characteristics has gradually taken shape. A happy, open, inclusive, multidisciplinary and cross-cultural integration of teaching and research atmosphere within the department has developed.
Building on his courseThe History and Philosophy of Sciencein 2020, John N. Alekna(雷震) set up 2 new courses,Research Methods & the English Writing Style in the History of ScienceandPerspectives and Debates in the History of Sciencein 2021 academic year. His humorous class atmosphere and broad knowledge covary have encouraged an increasing number of students to take his courses. Daniele Macuglia (马大年) stayed in Italy for the first half of 2021 due to the Covid-19. He started an online courseComputing and Data Analysis for Historians, which attracted over 200 students in the first lecture. Our new colleague, Prof. Chen Hao, taught a courseThe History of Science, Technology and Medicine in Ancient China, which further completed the curriculum of the department.
Fig. 4 New colleagues Daniele Macuglia & Chen Hao
At present, the curriculum of the department has met the requirements of the Subject Review Group on the History of Science and Technology Discipline of the State Council of China with high quality, especially the five English-taught courses are directly benchmarked with world top universities discipline settings, which lead the curriculum systems in China.
Compulsory Courses
History of modern science and technology in China
An Introduction to the Historiography of Science
The History and Philosophy of Science
Computing and Data analysis for Historians
Reading and writing on history of science
Research Methods & the English Writing Style in the History of Science
Optional Courses
Oral History
Cutting-Edge Lecture
An Introduction to the Historiography of Science
Medicine and Society
Science, Technology and Medicine in Pre-modern China: A Survey
Perspectives and Debates in the History of Science
Science, Technology, and Society
Practice
Teaching Practice
Undergraduate courses
History of contemporary science and technology
Medicine, Health and Culture
Chart 1 Curriculum List
With the growing faculty team, an open, progressive and joyful atmosphere has developed within the department. Our Italian colleague Daniele Macuglia, who came to China for the first time, was enthusiastic and actively participating in the activities to introduce Italian culture in PKU. Besides, he learned about traditional Chinese culture such as Peking Opera and Kuaiban. He asked for a catchy Chinese name when joined the department. Thus, our young colleagues set up a "name committee" for him, using allegory, transliteration and allusions, and finally came up with the name as "马大年".
Fig.5 Celebrating Mid-Autumn Festival
III. Welcoming Second round of postgraduates, improving student training system and building campus culture
Eight postgraduate students who came from ZJU (Zhejiang University), RUC (Renmin University of China), BNU (Beijing Normal University) and NUE (Naval University of Engineering) joined our department in 2021 Fall Term. In the meantime, two visiting students from the Department of History of Science in Oxford University and Princeton University joined us as well. During the orientation ceremony, Academician Han Qide (founding director of the Department of HSTM) encouraged the new students make the most of HSTM's academic platform in order to aspire to be broad, well-read and good scholars.
Fig.6 Teachers & Students during the Orientation
Department of HSTM strives to improve the student training plan and funding system. The rotation system, academic assessments for research, group meetings and subject participation system have been implemented in accordance with the requirements of the PKU and AAIS.We treat academic life with strict standards and encourage students to actively participate in departmental research projects while taking basic courses, so as to “know research during research”. In addition, we have built a student merit-funding system to encourage the students to explore and develop themselves through multiple ways, and to safeguard students' academic life at school in all aspects.
Fig.7 Students playing Rugby Practical agricultural activities
In order to enrich students’ daily life in campus, the department organised a variety of activities and social practices in an effort to create a patriotic, healthy, comprehensive and positive student culture.
IV. Zhang Yuzhuo, Secretary of the Chinese Association for Science and Technology (CAST), came to our department for a discussion and research to promote the work of CAST-PKU Joint Institute for Science Culture
In September 2021, Zhang Yuzhuo, Secretary, Vice Chairman and First Secretary of the Secretariat of the Chinese Association for Science and Technology (CAST), met with academician Han Qide and President Hao Ping for a discussion in our department. Zhang highly recommend the progress and achievements we had made and hoped to expand the cooperation with us in order to jointly contribute to the practical needs of the CCP and the Nation.
Fig.8 Discussion in Jingyuan Researching the project results
This year, the CAST-PKU Joint Institute for Science Culture has produced four special reports with the research team of our faculty and students. "Suggestions for promoting vaccine development under the new situation of the Covid-19" and "Suggestions for promoting vaccination" have been submitted through CAST and approved.
V. Scientists' data collection project reached milestones
In July 2020, with the support of leaders from CAST and PKU, the CAST "Elder Scientists' Academic Development Data Collection Project" was officially launched at Peking University. Department of HSTM is mainly responsible for the organization and management of the project. This year, the data collection work of six scientists has been started and has achieved the milestone.
In November 2021, we organized the second project assessment meeting to conduct a mid-term evaluation of the data collection work on Prof. Zhao Kaihua, Prof. Zhao Bailin and Prof. Xie Youchang (launched in 2020). The meeting also inspected the work started in 2021 of the data collection on Prof. Zhang Gongqing and Prof. Cai Zhiji. Members of the data collection team reported in detail on the progress and next steps in data collection, digitization and cataloguing, oral interviews, chronology and long-form compilation of data, and writing of research reports. All team members participating in the meeting submitted quality results that met or exceeded the evaluation standards, which fully demonstrating the diligence and responsibility of the project participants.
Fig.9 the second project assessment meeting
The project has been jointly implemented by the CAST and 12 ministries of China for ten years. More than 300,000 pieces of materials from more than 600 elder scientists have been collected. With the support of the relevant departments of science in PKU, we will strive to complete a great job of the data collection, adding a number of valuable historical materials with the Beida characteristics, and contributing a number of exemplary results to the development and advocacy of history of science in Peking University.
VI. Successfully initiated the 1stPhD Forum on Contemporary Science, Technology and Society of China
On 5 July 2021, the Department of HSTM initiated the PhD Forum on Contemporary Science, Technology and Society of China, which received widespread attention and enthusiastic work submissions from teachers and students of various universities. The preliminary review panel evaluated the submitted works based on four aspects: Topic, Research Methods, Content and Academic Norm. Ten papers were finally selected for the forum, where the reviewer’ were Academician Han Qide (Founding director of the Department of HSTM), Prof. Zhang li (Deputy Director), Prof. Zhang Daqing (Deputy Director), Prof. Wang Jun (Department of Philosophy), Prof. Tang Wenpei (School of Health Humanities), Assistant Professor John N.Alekna (Department of HSTM). Faculties and students from HSTM, as well as all campers of the 2nd Summer Camp attended the presentation and discussion session.
Name
University
Presenting Title
Chen Qian
Nanjing University of Information Science & Technology
Trade-offs and Choices: A Study of Early Regional Cooperation in China's Modern Customs Weather
Mo Xiaocong
Peking University
The spread of Soviet sleep therapy in China: medical technology and society
Liu Qian
Northwest Normal University
《"A Powerful Assistant to 'Send the Plague'": Schistosomiasis Control Films and the New China Schistosomiasis Control Campaign》
Wang Yujian
Nanjing Agricultural University
The Symbiosis of Man and Nature: A Study of the Transmutation and Social Transformation of the Nujiang Lisu nationality’s zipline
Chen Lingna
Peking University
Technology and Society Behind the Transportation Revolution and the Evolution of Plague Transmission Patterns
Wang Zhanxiang
Peking University
Reality or pretext: A re-investigation of the meaning of "In order to surpass, we must be able to understand"
Jin Yanan
Peking University
The Change of Psychoprophylactic Painless Childbirth Method to Ramaz Breathing Method in the Global History Perspective: China as the Center
Gao Disi
Peking University
Divergence and Cooperation: A Study of the History of the British School Health Service (1907-1974)
Zhou Zhiqiang
Nanjing Agricultural University
The Theory and Practice of Drought and Flood Salinity Management in the Huang Huaihai Sea in the 1970s and 1980s
Xu Fanqi
Utrecht University
Chinese Medicine, Nationalism and the Discovery of Artemisinin
Chart 2 Award list of the Forum
VII. Organizing the Third Joint Conference of the Degree Conferring Institutions on the History of Science and Technology
Fig.10 Poster of The Third Joint Conference of the Degree Conferring Institutions on the History of Science and Technology
In July 2021, we participated in the Third Joint Conference of the Degree Conferring Institutions on the History of Science and Technology held in Guangxi Minzu University, along with 26 other institutions across China, including USTC (University of Science and Technology of China), THU (Tsinghua University) and SJTU (Shanghai Jiao Tong University). The conference focused on the high-quality development of the history of science and technology discipline in China during the 14thFive-Year Plan, and deepened the communication and cooperation among conference members in teaching and research.
At the conference, academician Han Qide delivered a speech on "Moving forward as a team to take the history of science and technology and the culture of science in China to new heights". He pointed out the main problems of the discipline at present are: (a.) postgraduate training required a long time for academic adaptation, (b.) a small proportion of history of science content in the Liberal Arts Education curriculum in China’s universities, (c.) the limited social influence of the history of science and technology due to its weak respects to serve national strategies and scientific innovation, (d.) the lack of communication among the disciplinary community, (e.) no corresponding disciplinary in the relevant national research funds, (f.) the difficulty for graduates employment due to the science degrees, etc. However, Academician Han Qide encouraged everyone: "We must be determined and redouble our efforts to open up a path in every mountain and build a bridge in every water. Let us unite to overcome all difficulties."
The heads of disciplines from various universities had an in-depth discussion on the 6 difficulties and issues raised by Academician Han Qide. They finally reached a broad consensus and were confident in exploring the path of continued development of the discipline of History of Science.
Newsletter
VIII. The Department of HSTM held 2ndsummer camp on "Exploring the footprints of scientists in China". After screening the applications, 17 students from top universities in China including PKU (Peking University), NKU(Nankai University), XMU (Xiamen University) and SYSU (Sun Yat-sen University) participated.
IX. There is a shortage of 250 places for the undergraduate Liberal Arts Education course "History of Contemporary Science and Technology". The Department of HSTM had to expand the maximum number of places and dynamically adjusted the course structure to ensure the most innovative, comprehensive and enriching content.
X. This year, there were in total 25 research projects funded by the CAST (Chinese Association for Science and Technology), CAS (the Chinese Academy of Sciences) and other institutions. Faculty and students are devoted and fully engaged in their research work.
XI. Lecture Series Chuanxi Jiangtang and the Youth Salon were held this year, while the faculty members and post-docs of HSTM gave occasional academic lectures to ensure the rhythm of academic communications.
Lecture Series Chuanxi Jiangtang
Topic
Speaker
Affiliation
Science Culture and the Chinese Way
Yuan Jiangyang
Professor, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences
History of Technology and Technological Heritage Studies
Qian Wei
Professor, University of Science and Technology Beijing
A Preliminary Study on the Characteristics of Malaria Research in Asia before World War II
Liu Shiyong
Professor, Shanghai Jiaotong University
Introduction and Digestion Complemented by Independent Innovation - The Path of Science and Technology Development in a Late Developing Power (1949-1980)
Dong Zhikai
Professor, Institute of Economic Research, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences
The characteristics of ancient Chinese scientific thinking from Han Dynasty astronomy
Sun Xiaochun
Professor, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences
Review and Prospect of Chinese Science and Technology Archaeology
Chen Jianli
Professor, Peking University
Fundamental Computer Simulations: New Horizons in HPS
Daniele Macuglia
Assistant professor, Peking University
Radio, Revolution, and the Meaning of Technology
John N.Alekna
Assistant professor, Peking University
Lecture Series Youth Salon
Processes and Basic Norms of Scientific Research: A Multidimensional Interpretation of Laboratory Life
Gu Chao
Postdoc, Peking University
Science and the Commune: Grassroots Veterinarians, Sick Animals, and the Science of Sustaining Multispecies Communities
Jongsik Christian Yi
Ph.D. candidate, Harvard University
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