The Science of 1875

Jamie chats with Dr Mike Finn. Mike explores some of the major debates and challenges happening in psychiatry in the years around 1875. These included discussions about how mental disorders should be classified, diagnosed and treated. He also uncovers how research in a Yorkshire asylum provided the bedrock for the development of modern neuroscience.Mike is a Lecturer in History of Science in the Centre for History & Philosophy of Science at the University of Leeds.

We welcome Graeme Gooday who explores the state-of-the-art in the physical sciences in the 1870s. He traces interdisciplinary connections between the sciences at the Yorkshire College, and the history of a surprising study of sea levels...Graeme is Professor of History of Science and Technology in the Centre for the History and Philosophy of Science at the University of Leeds.

Dr Franziska Kohlt, Leverhulme Research Fellow in the Centre for History & Philosophy of Science explores the common ground between literature and science in the nineteenth century. She also examines how one of the most famous children’s authors of the time, Lewis Carroll, mounted public campaigns against vivisection and how scientific ideas ran through his work.

This episode features PhD researcher Monica Stenzel. Drawing on her current work, Monica reveals how Yorkshire, one of the centres of the global textile trade in the nineteenth century, was also the birthplace of “wool science”, with the Yorkshire College right at its heart.

Stefan Bernhardt-Radu is Jamie's guest today. Stefan explores how explaining human consciousness – using evolution – was one of the knottiest scientific problems of the 1870s. Stefan is a PhD researcher in the Centre for History & Philosophy of Science at the University of Leeds.

In this episode Dr Josh Hillman chats with Jamie about all things mining, from increased production in the Yorkshire coal field to the dangers of working in mines and local innovations. Featuring a twenty-four tonne lump of coal that went on display to the world! Josh is a Teaching Fellow in the Centre for History & Philosophy of Science at the University of Leeds.

Today Professor Greg Radick has popped in to discuss biology, then a science only in its infancy. He talks to Jamie about three huge questions of the day, including the nature-nurture debate, and whether living organisms come into being spontaneously. Greg is Professor of History & Philosophy of Science at the University of Leeds.

Our guest is Grace Exley, and the science of geology is on the menu! In conversation with Jamie, Grace uncovers one of the big debates of the 1870s: just how did mountains form...? Grace is a PhD researcher in the Centre for the History and Philosophy of Science at the University of Leeds.

What is "The Science of 1875" all about...? Professor Jamie Stark from the Centre for History & Philosophy of Science at the University of Leeds explains what lies in store!