Can scientific experiments be beautiful? with Dr. Milena Ivanova

Today’s guest is Dr. Milena Ivanova, a philosopher of science based at Fitzwilliam College at Cambridge University, where she is a fellow, graduate tutor, and the Director of Studies in Philosophy. Dr. Ivanova’s research involves studying aesthetics in the expansive field of science and publishing numerous articles, papers, and books on the subject. She is the author of  Duhem and Holism (Cambridge UP, 2021) and co-editor of The Aesthetics of Science: Beauty, Imagination, and Understanding (Routledge, 2020). Dr. Ivanova lends us her expertise to explore the following:What attracted Dr. Ivanova to studying beauty in scienceThe relevance of beauty and its role in understanding scienceFunctionality and optimality of purpose contributing to an experiment’s beautyThe beauty of experiments beyond visual aesthetics through design and significance On beauty contributing to biasThe benefit of learning about beauty in science for scientists and philosophersApplying beauty and the awareness of it in other aspects To learn more about Dr. Ivanova’s work, visit https://www.milenaivanova.co.uk/Also, check out her books such as:Duhem and Holismhttps://www.cambridge.org/core/elements/abs/duhem-and-holism/0D574554BB82648C0E5E1DFA6C550300The Aesthetics of Science: Beauty, Imagination, and Understandinghttps://www.routledge.com/The-Aesthetics-of-Science-Beauty-Imagination-and-Understanding-1st-Edition/Ivanova-French/p/book/9780367141141You can also explore the topic of our interview in the following articles:When is a scientific experiment like a beautiful work of art? https://aeon.co/essays/when-is-a-scientific-experiment-like-a-beautiful-work-of-artWhat is a beautiful experiment?https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10670-021-00509-3The aesthetics of scientific experimentshttps://compass.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/phc3.12730Watch out for our new episodes every 1st and 15th of the month!Support us on Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/BeautyatWorkPodcastSupport the show