This working group discusses the practice and politics of science within the German colonial empire. We take as our focus the years in which Germany was a colonial power, 1884-1919, while also looking back to the context of mid-nineteenth century trade, mission and exploration, and to neocolonial offshoots after 1919 such as the boom in "Afrikawissenschaft" under Nazism. We will question how German scientists and organizations erased, absorbed, or constructed Indigenous knowledge as a counterpoint to their own work; how their practices interacted with those of other European empires; and how colonial practices shaped knowledge production in major German metropoles. The group is geared particularly towards early-career scholars, and it should also address fundamental methodological issues and stakes of studying "science" in the German colonial context: how do we write colonial history as history of science and vice versa? How can these histories adequately take into account the perspectives and knowledge practices of the colonized? How do we navigate the colonial legacies in science in our own time? How does (neo)colonial science play out today?
The working group is intended to open new research questions, disseminate resources, build networks and foster scholarship. Our monthly virtual meetings will alternate between reading sessions and workshops. Each reading session will focus on the colonial entanglements of a different scientific field, including geography, medicine, biology, anthropology, ethnology, linguistics and archaeology. Such a wide range of topics precludes any of the conveners from claiming expertise in all of them. One of the aims of this group is therefore to generate conversations between fields that would otherwise be shut off from each other; to this end we will solicit expert moderators from established as well as junior peers to introduce and/or lead discussions. The workshop sessions will be devoted to research presentations by up to two group participants per session, and we welcome brief proposals from participants throughout the year.
Consortium Respectful Behavior Policy
Participants at Consortium activities will treat each other with respect and consideration to create a collegial, inclusive, and professional environment that is free from any form of discrimination, harassment, or retaliation.
Participants will avoid any inappropriate actions or statements based on individual characteristics such as age, race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, nationality, political affiliation, ability status, educational background, or any other characteristic protected by law. Disruptive or harassing behavior of any kind will not be tolerated. Harassment includes but is not limited to inappropriate or intimidating behavior and language, unwelcome jokes or comments, unwanted touching or attention, offensive images, photography without permission, and stalking.
Participants may send reports or concerns about violations of this policy to conduct@chstm.org.