Alexander Hall

Alexander Hall is a doctoral researcher at the Max Planck Institute for the History of Science (MPIWG) in Berlin, affiliated with the International Max Planck Research School – Knowledge and its Resources (IMPRS-KIR). His work explores the intersection of Cold War history, technological futures, and the dynamics of knowledge control.

Education:

• BA in History from the University of Exeter
• MSc in Security Studies from University College London

His research focuses on Cold War-era U.S. designs for habitable space infrastructure, including lunar bases and orbital stations, examining how secrecy, institutional cultures, and knowledge control shaped technological expectations. He also investigates the interplay between restricted networks and open research in shaping perceptions of technological feasibility.

Scientific Awards:

• Dissertation Prize (University of Exeter) for research on the American space shuttle program

Alexander actively engages in academic presentations, including a recent talk at the Slade School of Fine Art, University College London, on depictions of technological futures in Cold War America.