Sarvnaz Lotfi

Sarvnaz Lotfi is a Visiting Assistant Professor in the Department of History at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU), specializing in the history of R&D and economic thought. She holds a PhD in Science and Technology Studies (STS) from Virginia Tech, an MA in International Affairs from The New School, and a BA in Neuroscience and Anthropology from Oberlin College. Prior to CMU, she taught at Virginia Tech and Loyola University Maryland as a Postdoctoral Teaching Fellow. She also served as a Visiting Research Fellow at Duke University’s Center for the History of Political Economy and contributed to the Journal of the History of Economic Thought as a book review board member.

Her research focuses on the intersection of R&D practices, economic systems, and Cold War-era policies. Notable works include a 2023 publication in Enterprise & Society and ongoing projects analyzing R&D tax loopholes and Cold War contracting practices. Upcoming work includes a presentation at the 2025 Society for Social Studies of Science (4S) conference and a monograph derived from her dissertation, Capitalizing the 'Measure of Our Ignorance'.