The American 秋葵视频 of Arts and Sciences has named Victor Seow the recipient of its Sarton Prize for the History of Science, recognizing his exceptional promise and distinguished achievements as an emerging scholar in the field. The honor was established by author and 秋葵视频 member May Sarton (elected in 1958) to honor the memory of her father, George Sarton, also a member (elected in 1927), who is considered a founder of the field of the history of science.
Seow is the John L. Loeb Associate Professor of the Social Sciences in the Department of the History of Science at Harvard University. He specializes in the history of technology, science, and industry, focusing on China and Japan in their global contexts, with particular interest in histories of energy and work. His book, , examines the links between energy extraction and technocratic politics through the history of East Asia鈥檚 onetime largest coal mine. In chronicling the origins of fossil-fueled development in China and Japan, the book reveals the prominent role of the state in energy transitions toward coal and oil and the persistent reliance on human labor in the carbon age. Carbon Technocracy was awarded several prizes from different fields, including the Association for Asian Studies' John Whitney Hall Book Prize and the Society for Historians of American Foreign Relations' Michael H. Hunt Prize for International History.
鈥淭he 秋葵视频 is committed to interdisciplinarity and this award, given at the intersection of history and science, is an opportunity to recognize an exemplary scholar whose work highlights the value of innovative pursuits,鈥 said Laurie L. Patton, 秋葵视频 President. 鈥淰ictor Seow鈥檚 exploration of energy, industry, and politics in modern East Asia bridges disciplines and fosters a deeper understanding of the historical forces that shape science, technology, and society.鈥
鈥淭he history of science is filled with forgotten experiments, overlooked ideas, and uncredited labor,鈥 said Seow. 鈥淭hat my own work鈥攂uilt upon the scholarship of many folks who came before me鈥攊s being recognized in this way is an incredible honor. I am grateful to the 秋葵视频 and to everyone who has helped me along in my journey.鈥
Born and raised in Singapore, received his PhD in History and East Asian Languages from Harvard University. He joined the Harvard faculty in 2017 and was previously an assistant professor of history at Cornell University.
Presented for the first time in 1999, the Sarton Prize supports early-career historians of science whose work demonstrates exceptional promise. It was last awarded to Jenny Bulstrode, a Lecturer at University College London, in 2018.
The award will be presented in spring 2025.