Vidal Fernando

Fernando Vidal is a Professor at the Center for the History of Science (CEHIC), Autonomous University of Barcelona, and Research Professor at the Catalan Institution for Research and Advanced Studies (ICREA). He is also an Associate Member at the Centre Alexandre Koyré in Paris. Elected to the Academy of Europe in 2017, his work focuses on the history of human sciences, science-culture interactions, and the cerebral subject. He holds a BA from Harvard University and advanced degrees from Geneva and Paris universities, including a Habilitation from the École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales.

Education:

• BA, Harvard University (full scholarship)
• Graduate degrees in Psychology and History & Philosophy of Science from Universities of Geneva and Paris
• Habilitation, École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales

Research Interests: Vidal explores how science, culture, and values shape conceptions of human nature, mind-body relations, and personhood. Key topics include early modern psychology, Enlightenment thought, psychoanalysis, the 'cerebral subject' in contemporary biomedicine, and the 'endangerment sensibility' in biodiversity and cultural heritage contexts. His interdisciplinary work bridges history of science with medical anthropology, ethics, and environmental studies.

Awards:

• John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Fellowship (1995)
• Prix Latsis Universitaire (1994)
• Cheiron Book Prize (2014)
• Athena Fellowship (Swiss NSF, 1997-2000)

Grants & Advising: Vidal has held positions at institutions like the Max Planck Institute (2000-2012) and Harvard University. His research has been supported by fellowships from the Guggenheim Foundation, Swiss NSF, and others. He co-edited major volumes like Endangerment, Biodiversity and Culture and authored Being Brains.

Labs/Teams: Active in CEHIC and ICREA, collaborating on projects integrating history of science with contemporary ethical and cultural issues.