HAPP: St Cross Centre for the History and Philosophy of Physics

Over the centuries Britain’s contribution to the international study of physics has been enormous with the University of Oxford playing a key role in many areas of its advancement. Oxford continues to be a centre of excellence for research both on the historical development of the discipline and the philosophy which shapes its inquiry.

HAPP does not simply focus on chronicling the history of the discipline as a retrospective exercise but also critically engages with the philosophy and the methodologies which inform how current research in physics is undertaken. Being based at St Cross College, the Centre is well positioned to investigate those milestones in the field in which the University of Oxford has played a leading role. Such scientific contributions extend from the emergence of the study of physics during the Middle Ages to the establishment of the Royal Society and the development of the modern discipline in the 20th and 21st centuries.

You can find out more on our website.
Type: None
Series organiser: St Cross College
Web Address: https://www.stx.ox.ac.uk/the-happ-centre

Talks:

Saturday 22 February 2025

HAPP One-Day Conference: Physical Origins from the Big Bang to Earth
Date: 22 February 2025, 10:30 - 17:00
Speaker s: Professor Erminia Calabrese (Cardiff University), Professor Richard McMahon (University of Cambridge), Professor John Bridges (University of Leicester), Professor Sara Russell (Natural History Museum, London), Professor Thomas Gernon (University of Southampton), Professor Chris Lintott (University of Oxford), After Dinner Speaker: Pat Daly (Gemmological Association of Great Britain)
Venue: Mathematical Institute, Woodstock Road OX2 6GG
Organisers: TBA
Hosts: TBA

Friday 28 February 2025

Follow-on HAPP Lecture: Origin of Life on Earth
Date: 28 February 2025, 17:00 - 18:30
Speaker : Dr Mario Livio (University of Nevada, Las Vegas)
Venue Details: ONLINE via Zoom
Organisers: TBA
Hosts: TBA

Editors: Laura Spence, Belinda Clark