My research concerns the history of modern science in its cultural and political context. My leading question is always: what did various stakeholders expect from science, and how did this influence support for scientific projects (political support and funding, but also popular and intellectual support)? And how did this change over time?
I am currently co-supervising PhD projects on the ideology behind European collaboration in science in the postwar period (Luca Forgiarini); on public perceptions of satellite infrastructures in the late 20th century (David Skogerboe); and on the introduction of statistical graphics in the Netherlands in the late 19th century (Marieke Gelderblom).
History of Weather forecasting
I am currently working on the history of weather forecasts from 1860 until the present day. In this project, I focus on scientific and public perceptions of (un)certainty. I am interested in how we, as a society, have collectively learned to understand scientific weather forecasts. More specifically, I am interested in public perceptions of the (un)certainty of weather forecasts. Our confidence in them was not self-evident from the start. It took time to gain public trust, and even more time for people to pay routine attention. Less obviously perhaps, it also took time for scientists to become confident enough to issue public forecasts, and to learn how their forecasts would be interpreted and used.
Weather forecasting is a remarkably successful example of public understanding of 'robust-but-not-certain' scientific predictions. Understanding the changing dynamic between scientific expertise, science communication, public perception and policy in an everyday topic like the weather will help to understand more problematic cases in which scientific predictions are subject of public discussions.
Main publications:
Forthcoming: ‘Who Predicts? Storm Warnings and Weather Predictions 1860-1920’.
2021: ‘Waarschuwingen in de Wind’, Wonderkamer no.3 (June 2021) 12-17.
The moral economy of international collaboration in science
I have looked extensively into the scientific and political dynamics of international cooperation in science, especially in large telescope projects. What did the various stakeholders expect from the collaboration? How did political, economic, cultural and scientific ambitions shape the project?
Main publications:
forthcoming: ‘Big Astronomy’, in: Panos Charitos and Theodore Arabatzis (eds.), Societal Impact of Big Science in the 21st century.
2020: 'Frozen Science', blog Shells and Pebbles, 2 March 2020.
2019: J. Andersen, D.M. Baneke and C. Madsen, The International Astronomical Union: Uniting the Community for 100 Years (Springer Nature).
2019: ‘Let’s not talk about science - The normalization of big science and the moral economy of modern astronomy’, Science Technology and Human Values 45:1 (2019) 164-194.
2015: 'The Absence of the East: International Influences on Science Policy in Western Europe during the Cold War', in: J.A.E.F. van Dongen, F. Hoeneveld and A. Streefland (eds.), Cold War Science and the Transatlantic Circulation of Knowledge (Leiden: Brill 2015) 163-183.
2014: 'Space for ambitions : the Dutch space program in changing European and transatlantic contexts', Minerva 52 no.1 (2014) 119-140.
History of astronomy and space science in the Netherlands
Astronomy is a science with high cultural visibility. Popular and political support for astronomy in the twentieth century was solid and sustained. A closer look at the relations between astronomy, culture and politics reveals that they are much more complex than they appear at first glance, however. Throughout the twentieth century, the development of astronomy has been influenced by science, education and industrial policy, national prestige, international politics, and national security (think for example of space research during the Cold War). In my research I have analyzed these influences and assess their importance. I have especially looked at the development of the remarkably successful Dutch astronomical community.
Main publications:
2019: ‘Let’s not talk about science - The normalization of big science and the moral economy of modern astronomy’, Science Technology and Human Values 45:1 (2019) 164-194.
2016: 'Organizing space: Dutch space science between astronomy, industry and the government', in: T. Heinze and R. Muench (eds.), Innovation in Science and Organizational Renewal. Historical and Sociological Perspectives (London etc.: Palgrave Macmillan 2016) 183-209.
2015: De ontdekkers van de hemel: de Nederlandse sterrenkunde in de twintigste eeuw (Amsterdam: Bert Bakker).
2014: 'Space for ambitions: the Dutch space program in changing European and transatlantic contexts', Minerva 52 no.1 (2014) 119-140.
2014: ‘Uit de schaduw van Oort: De Nederlandse astronomische gemeenschap en het wetenschaps-management vanaf de jaren zeventig’, BMGN / Low Countries Historical Review 129:1 (2014) 25-54.
2010: 'Teach and travel: Leiden Observatory and the renaissance of Dutch astronomy in the Interwar years', Journal for the History of Astronomy xli (2010) 167-198.
Science and modernity: technocratic thinking and the role of experts in modern society
In my dissertation Synthetisch Denken (Utrecht University, 2008), I analyzed debates about the role of science and technology in modern society in the early twentieth-century Netherlands. The spectacular development of science and technology led to debates about its social and cultural consequences. Didn't it go to fast? Was 'cold', disinterested science a threat to other cultural values? Or could science provide a solution to the problems of modern society? What were the boundaries of the scientific method, and what role could expert advisors play in a democratic society? These questions are still relevant today; a century ago they were at the core of intellectual debates. They are also at the core of my master’s course Science and the Dilemmas of Modernity.
Main publications:
2011: 'Synthetic Technocracy: Dutch Scientific Intellectuals in Science, Society and Culture, 1880-1950', British Journal for the History of Science 44 (2011) 89-113.
2008: Synthetisch denken: Natuurwetenschappers over hun rol in een moderne maatschappij 1900-1940 (Hilversum: Verloren).
The role of universities and science education in modern society and culture
Why do we need scientifically trained students? The question may seem obvious, but the answer has actually changed in the last two centuries. What is the value of highly specialized expertise? Do we need specialists or general intellectuals? Should universities prepare students for specific jobs, or focus on personal development? Similarly, should academic research focus on concrete problems or fundamental knowledge? And who should decide on these priorities?
Main publications:
2018: D.M. Baneke and Ad Maas (eds.), De Hogere Burgerschool: onderwijs en emancipatie, special issue of Studium 10 (2018).
2014: ‘Uit de schaduw van Oort: De Nederlandse astronomische gemeenschap en het wetenschaps-management vanaf de jaren zeventig’, BMGN / Low Countries Historical Review 129:1 (2014) 25-54.
2012: ‘De vette jaren: de Commissie-Casimir en het Nederlandse wetenschapsbeleid 1957-1970’, Studium 5 (2012) 110-127.
2008: Synthetisch denken: Natuurwetenschappers over hun rol in een moderne maatschappij 1900-1940 (Hilversum: Verloren).