Objective First discovered and manufactured in Berkeley Radiation Laboratory in 1940, the isotope carbon-14 (C-14, also called radiocarbon) has since played a fundamental role in the development of biomedical sciences, human sciences and environmental sciences. This project aims to produce an up-to-date history of its first applications in Europe, by exploring the circulation of materials, instruments and techniques based on this isotope after World War 2. In particular, research will focus on three case studies of appropriation of isotopic tracing techniques, which will be approached from a transnational perspective: the use of C-14 techniques by molecular biologists, the use of radiocarbon in archeological dating and the use of carbon-14 in environmental sciences. The study of the use of similar techniques in different disciplines will allow for an analysis on interdisciplinary connections between fields, and also for a comparative study of the transfer and validation of these techniques among different research communities. Besides studying these methodological and epistemological questions, the project will result in a up-to-date chronology and a guide of sources on the history of nuclear sciences in Europe, as well as a repository of oral interviews to key actors in thsi field. The project will also pay attention to the public image of these researches in the public sphere, in relation to the campaign “Atoms for Peace” and the development of nuclear industry in Europe. In doing so, the project will develop new historiographical techniques related to the use of the press as a source in the history of science. Fields of science humanitieshistory and archaeologyhistorymodern historynatural sciencesearth and related environmental sciencesenvironmental sciences Keywords History of science History of technology Social shaping of technology contemporary history of science history of biomedical sciences history of physical sciences history of science communication Programme(s) FP7-PEOPLE - Specific programme "People" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013) Topic(s) FP7-PEOPLE-IEF-2008 - Marie Curie Action: "Intra-European Fellowships for Career Development" Call for proposal FP7-PEOPLE-IEF-2008 See other projects for this call Funding Scheme MC-IEF - Intra-European Fellowships (IEF) Coordinator UNIVERSITE DE STRASBOURG EU contribution € 227 984,41 Address RUE BLAISE PASCAL 4 67081 Strasbourg France See on map Region Grand Est Alsace Bas-Rhin Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Administrative Contact Sandrine Schott-Carrière (Ms.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Total cost No data
