Research
Utrecht has a long and rich history in history, philosophy & foundations of physics. Traditionally, our research strengths include:
1. History and foundations of quantum theory
Pablo Acuña*, Guido Bacciagaluppi, Noemi Bolzonetti, Maaneli Derakhshani*, Dennis Dieks, Stefano Furlan, Ronnie Hermens, Jan Hilgevoord*, Dick Hoekzema*, Mor Lumbroso, Marc Holman, Damon Moley, F.A. Muller, Thomas Müller*, Marina Passaro, Cristian de Ronde*, Michiel Seevinck*, Diana Taschetto, Pieter Vermaas*
2. History and philosophy of thermal physics
Janneke van Lith-van Dis, Carina Prunkl, Jos Uffink
3. History and philosophy of chronogeometry: space, time, gravity & energy
Pablo Acuña*, Viktor Blasjo, Dennis Dieks, Jeroen van Dongen*, Marc Holman, Frans van Lunteren*, Damon Moley, Niels Martens, Sanne Vergouwen, Daan Wegener
4. History and philosophy of extraterrestrial physics: astronomy, cosmology, atmospheric physics & the space sciences
David Baneke, Maura Burke, Antonio Ferreiro de Aguiar, Rob van Gent, Albert van Helden, Marc Holman, Niels Martens, Damon Moley, David Skogerboe, Sanne Vergouwen, Robert-Jan Wille, Sabine Winters, Huib Zuidervaart*
5. History of knowledge and philosophy of understanding, focusing on physics
David Baneke, Floris Cohen, Luca Forgiarini, Sjang ten Hagen, Casper Hakfoort*, Henri Heijmans*, Frans van Lunteren*, Emma Mojet, Henk de Regt*, Harry Snelders*, Daan Wegener, Robert-Jan Wille
*starred names are currently not actively affiliated with UU History and Philosophy of Physics anymore
See profile pages for individual research projects of staff members, here for PhD projects, here for previous projects, and below for current collaborative projects.
Collaborations, Networks & Research Groups
BOHR21
5-year ERC project on the legacy of Niels Bohr, combining history and philosophy of science, physics & biology
UPAC
Utrecht Philosophy of Astronomy & Cosmology Research Group
COSMO-MASTER
5-year ERC project on the philosophy of astronomy & cosmology
History of Mathematics Group
History of Mathematics Group at Utrecht University Mathematical Institute, including a focus on geometry and astronomy
ngEHT
History Philosophy Culture working group (HPC) of the next generation Event Horizon Telescope collaboration (ngEHT)
COSMOS
History & Philosophy of Cosmology Network
Gravitational Constant Network
St. Andrews & Bonn Gravitational Constant Network