Geert Somsen

Geert Somsen is an Associate Professor in the History of Knowledge at the Athena Institute, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, and holds a joint position at Maastricht University. He is affiliated with the Network Institute and has held visiting roles at Columbia University, Uppsala Universitet, and UC San Diego. His research focuses on the international dimensions of science, scientific internationalism, and the legacy of European imperialism in science. He co-founded and edits the Journal for the History of Knowledge and led the HERA-funded project on the social and political history of scientific conferences.

Research interests include the history of scientific conferences as tools for peaceful cooperation, the interplay between science and diplomacy, and the global history of scientific collaboration. Teaching spans the history of knowledge, international history, and science and technology studies at multiple academic levels. Awards include the Röhm and Haas Fellowship (2022). He actively engages in public outreach through media contributions, podcasts, and lectures at Studium Generale programs.