Gabriela Soto Laveaga to Mark a Double First at 2024 History of Science Society Centennial Meeting in Mérida

The History of Science Society (HSS), the world’s leading organization dedicated to the historical study of science, technology, and medicine, is set to celebrate its 100th anniversary with a landmark event in Mérida, Yucatán, from November 7 to 10, 2024. For the first time in its history, the HSS Annual Meeting will be held in Latin America, featuring Gabriela Soto Laveaga, DRCLAS’ Mexico Studies Program Co-Chair and Professor of the History of Science and Antonio Madero Professor for the Study of Mexico at Harvard University, as the first Latina to deliver the prestigious Distinguished Lecture. This double first—the Society's inaugural meeting in the region and Soto Laveaga’s historic address—highlights a significant moment for HSS as it honors a century of scholarly contributions and emphasizes diversity and inclusion in the field. 

The meeting, themed "Imperfect Pasts, Tense Futures," will address critical historical and contemporary issues in science and technology, with Soto Laveaga's plenary talk focusing on the production and circulation of scientific knowledge between Mexico and other regions—a core aspect of her groundbreaking research on the intersection of science and culture in Latin America. 

Soto Laveaga’s work has significantly shaped the understanding of scientific practices in the Global South. Her award-winning book, Jungle Laboratories: Mexican Peasants, National Projects, and the Making of the Pill, has redefined perspectives on the history of science in Latin America. Her ongoing research continues to examine the relationships between science, public health, and social movements in regions such as Mexico and India. 

The program will also feature sessions focused on scientific cooperation between the Global North and South, including panels on "Scientific Cooperation between Global North and South" and "Science in Mexico." These sessions will highlight Mexico's scientific heritage and global impact, providing a broader context for Soto Laveaga’s work. 

As HSS commemorates its centennial, this meeting not only celebrates its history but also spotlights Latin America's vital contributions to the global history of science- a topic that Soto Laveaga has passionately explored throughout her career. Her leadership at the conference is expected to inspire new ways of understanding the intersection between science, culture, and society. 

The 2024 HSS Annual Meeting will bring together over 500 members, including historians, scholars, and practitioners from around the world, under the theme Imperfect Pasts, Tense Futures. The program, meticulously curated by Program Co-Chairs Courtney Thompson and Christina Ramos, alongside Local Arrangements Committee members Edna Suárez-Díaz and Gisela Mateos, promises engaging discussions on global scientific dynamics. 

Attendees will also have the opportunity to explore a variety of sessions that reflect on historical challenges and future possibilities in science and technology, including critical examinations of scientific cooperation between the Global North and South, as well as discussions on how different societies adapt to and influence scientific practices.