Global Community Committee

Background and Mission

In 1992 the Society for the History of Technology inaugurated the International Scholars program with these goals:

1. Foster a stronger international community for the study of the history of technology
2. Strengthen the society’s role as an international society for the history of technology
3. Identify and help non-U.S. historians of technology participate in the meetings and governance of the Society
4. Provide formal recognition for the work of non-U.S. historians of technology so that their respective governments and national academic communities might provide greater support for their society-related activities
5. Afford special recognition for younger, non-U.S. scholars as they begin their careers in the history of technology
6. Foster an international network of scholars in the history of technology that will benefit all members of the society

Nowadays the mandate of the Global Community Committee Committee is slightly different:

More attention is given to scholars from countries outside the U.S. and Western Europe, not only to foster their individual careers but also to support local networks and activities for and by scholars working on the history of technology. International Scholars shall act as ambassadors for the Society in their countries and regions, both by informing the Society about the state and developments of the history of technology in their regions, and by helping to disseminate information about the Society and its activities.

From Internationalization to Global Community

Much has changed since the days when SHOT was an almost exclusively US-based organization with (as some wryly noted) “a few foreign members.” We now have the privilege to include members from six continents, many of whom support local scholarly networks in the field. To reflect its commitment to continue broadening our membership in a spirit of epistemic and professional justice, in 2023 SHOT changed the name of this program to “Global Community Initiative.”

Supporting global events

Since 2006, the Society for the History of Technology has supported regionally-hosted conferences and meetings with grants. In addition to promoting the Society’s mission, the grants aimed at globalizing the Society’s intellectual terrain as well as geographically broadening its membership.

Global Community Scholars

Applications and nominations for SHOT Global Community Scholars are now open!

Each year, SHOT designates selected Global Community Scholars for a two-year term. These scholars act as ambassadors for the society in their countries and regions, both by informing SHOT about the history of technology in their regions, and by helping to disseminate information about the society and its activities. In return, they receive priority for travel grant applications and a free two-year SHOT membership, which includes a subscription to Technology and Culture.

For a variety of reasons, the selection committee was unable to operate last year. It is now back up and running. To make up for last year’s lacuna, it will select up to 6 scholars for 2023-25. In keeping with the geographic directions of SHOT’s current community-building efforts, the selection this year will focus on scholars from Africa, Latin America, and South Asia.

We strongly encourage scholars from these parts of the world to apply. We also encourage members to nominate colleagues.

Applications and nominations are simple, consisting of the candidate’s CV and a brief (200 word) statement of interest in the appointment. Please send these materials as a single pdf to all the committee members simultaneously:

Professor Madhumita Saha, committee chair. [email protected].
Professor Damilola Adebayo. [email protected]
Professor Sonia Robles. [email protected]
Professor Yovanna Pineda. [email protected]

The deadline to receive applications is Monday, 25 September. Recipients will be announced during SHOT’s annual meeting in Long Beach.

2023 Global Community Committee

Hungsub Choi, Chair (2021-2023)
Sonia Robles (2021-2023)
Madhumita Saha (2021-2023)
Nelson Arellano (2021-2023)
Liang Yao (2021-2023)

For more information, please contact the committee chair or Jan Korsten, SHOT Secretary, [email protected].

Current Global Community Scholars

Previous Global Community (International) Scholars