Ursula Klein
Research Scholar
Prof. Dr., Außerordentliche Professorin an der Universität Konstanz
Residence: since July 1, 1998
Profile
Since 2005 | senior research scholar at the Max Planck Institute for the History of Science
Since 2007 apl professor at the University of Konstanz
2007 call to the professorship for the history and philosophy of science at the University of Vienna (declined)
Member of the Deutsche Akademie der Naturforscher Leopoldina
Editorial board of:
Ambix
Annals of Science
Historical Study in the Natural Sciences
Research interests:
History and philosophy of the laboratory sciences
History and philosophy of the 'applied sciences'
Current work: Useful sciences in Prussia (1750-1810)
1. Scientific-technological experts in Prussia:
°edited book (with E. C. Spary): Between Market and Laboratory: Materials and Expertise in Early Modern Europe, Chicago: The University of Chicago Press, 2010.
°The Prussian Mining Official Alexander von Humboldt. Annals of Science 69 (2012), 27-68.
°Ein Bergrat, zwei Minister und sechs Lehrende. Versuche der Gründung einer Bergakademie in Berlin um 1770.
°In preparation: Artisanal-scientific experts in eighteenth-century France and Germany. Special issue of Annals of Science 69 (2012).
°"Die technowissenschaftlichen Laboratorien der Frühen Neuzeit", NTM 16 (2008), 5–38.
° "The Laboratory Challenge: Some Revisons of the Standard View of Early Modern Experimentation," Isis (Focus) 99 (2008).
3. Historical Styles of Experimentation (experimental history, experimental philosophy, technological trials)
4. A Historical Ontology of materials and chemical substances
° (with Wolfgang Lefèvre) Materials in Eighteenth-Century Science: A Historical Ontology. Cambridge: The MIT Press 2007.
Curriculum vitae:
1970–72: study of sociology and psychology at the Free University of Berlin
1972–79: study of chemistry and biology at the Free University of Berlin (completed with Staatsexamen)
1980–88: teacher (high school/ Gymnasium)
1988–92: study of philosophy and history of science at the Free University of Berlin and the University of Konstanz
1993 | Dr. phil., University of Konstanz (history and philosophy of science)
2000 | Habilitation (philosophy) at the University of Konstanz
1993 - 1995 | postdoctoral fellowship at the Research Center for the History and Philosophy of Science (Berlin)
1995 - 1997 | research scholar, Max Planck Institute for the History of Science
1996 - 1998 | visiting scholar, Harvard University
1997 - 1998 | senior fellow, Dibner Institute
1998 - 2004 | director of an independent research group, Max Planck Institute for the History of Science
Selected publications
Klein, Ursula; Lefèvre, Wolfgang. Materials in eighteenth-century science : a historical ontology. Cambridge, Mass. [u.a.]: MIT Press, 2007.
Klein, Ursula. "Apothecary-chemists in eighteenth-century Germany." In: New narratives in eighteenth-century chemistry, eds.: Principe, Lawrence M.. Dordrecht: Springer, 2007.
Klein, Ursula. "Apothecary shops, laboratories and chemical manufacture in eighteenth-century Germany." In: The mindful hand : inquiry and invention from the late Renaissance to early industrialisation, eds.: Roberts, Lissa; Schaffer, Simon; Dear, Peter. Amsterdam [u.a.]: Edita [u.a.], 2007.
Klein, Ursula. "Die technowissenschaftlichen Laboratorien der Frühen Neuzeit. " NTM 16 (1 2008)
Klein, Ursula. "'Styles of experimentation and alchemical matter theory in the scientific revolution'. Essay r. of: Newman, William R.: Atoms and alchemy : chymistry and the experimental origins of the scientific revolution. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press 2006. " Metascience 16 (2 2007)
