Dr. Ellen Abrams is the newest member of the IHPST faculty. She is a historian of science and mathematics and holds a PhD in Science and Technology Studies from Cornell University. She has previously held academic appointments at McGill University, New York University, and the Cornell Tech Digital Life Initiative. She specializes in science and technology studies, critical data studies, and women’s and gender studies. Her interdisciplinary approach and passion for uncovering stories about mathematical knowledge will undoubtedly inspire the students at the University of Toronto.
Dr. Abrams is currently working on a book project that explores the growth of mathematical research in the United States during the early twentieth century. This work examines how mathematics in the United States was shaped and redefined through various forms of masculinity, offering a unique lens through which to understand the evolution of this field. Her other projects focus on the creation of data and data-based knowledge, scrutinizing who participates in these processes and why they matter.
To help you get to know her better, we conducted a Q&A session where she shared some personal insights and experiences that have shaped her career:
Can you share with us one of the most meaningful moments that made you decide to be a historian of science and mathematics?
I studied mechanical engineering in college, but I was obsessed with a food history course I took during my senior year. A project on the history of microwaves led me to science and technology studies. When I reached out to some of my favorite scholars in the field and they actually emailed me back, I was amazed that such brilliant people could also be so kind. That was what convinced me to apply to grad school.
What inspired you to write a book about mathematics and masculinities in the United States?
The relationship between mathematics and gender is full of puzzles. Women had once been considered too imaginative to be reliable calculators, but, after becoming calculators and "computers," they weren't considered imaginative enough to be creative mathematicians. While mathematics was idealized as the epitome of masculine objectivity, it also served as an entry point for women who were excluded from more “dangerous” places like the laboratory or machine shop. I'm fascinated by the idea that bodies, cultures, and contexts matter for something that is meant to be so absolute, disembodied, and abstract. I began my current book project, which focuses on the early twentieth century, because I was intrigued by the shifts that were happening at that time in the intellectual and institutional history of mathematics as well as the cultural history of American masculinity.
Can you discuss any collaborations or interdisciplinary work that have significantly influenced your research?
I'm currently working on a large project—a sort of "experiment" in collaboration—with a group of around 20 historians and mathematicians. We've been pooling all of our notes, scans from the archives, etc., and it's been amazing to see how much more comprehensive we can be as a group than as individuals. I also really like seeing how other scholars think about and process the same material.
What excites you the most about joining the IHPST?
The people! I'm excited to be around such brilliant faculty, staff, and students, and everyone I've met so far has been incredibly kind. This is a magical combination (see question #1 :)
What do you enjoy doing in your free time, or do you have any hobbies or interests outside of academia?
Anything outside! I've spent a lot of my life skiing, biking, hiking, swimming, and surfing. (Surfing is new. I'm not very good.) I'm also a big baseball fan, and I'm excited for my family to become a Blue Jays family!
We are thrilled to have Dr. Abrams join us and look forward to the contributions she will bring to the IHPST. Join us in extending a warm welcome to her as she becomes part of our community!