Barbara Hahn

Barbara Hahn is a Professor in the Department of History at Texas Tech University, where she teaches courses on American history, global history, the history of capitalism, and the history of technology. Her research spans multiple continents and historical periods, focusing on how economic systems intersect with technological development and agricultural practices.

Dr. Hahn's research interests include:

• American History, particularly the U.S. South
• Global History and transnational connections
• Agricultural history and crop migration
• History of capitalism and economic systems
• History of technology and industrialization

Her work examines how capitalism developed alongside nation-states as global adventurers, often in embrace of industry and empire, while challenging conventional narratives about its origins. She investigates the materials, artifacts, and methods of the past to understand today's technological landscape and behaviors. Her research has been supported by prestigious institutions including the Harvard Business School, the National Humanities Center, and the European Union's Marie Curie Fellowship program.

Dr. Hahn has received significant recognition for her scholarship, including:

• Sidney M. Edelstein Prize from the Society for the History of Technology (SHOT)
• Jerry H. Bentley Prize from the World History Association

Her publications reveal patterns connecting agricultural commodities, technological innovation, and economic systems across historical periods. Her work demonstrates how historical processes of commodification continue to shape contemporary economic and technological landscapes. She has held editorial positions including associate editor of Technology and Culture (the journal of SHOT) for five years and currently serves as the History of Technology Section Editor for History Compass.