Ben Marsden

Ben Marsden is a Senior Lecturer in History of Science and Technology at the University of Aberdeen's School of Divinity, History, Philosophy and Art History, where he previously served as Head of the Department of History (2018-2023). His administrative roles include Deputy Head of School (2009-2011) and Director of the Centre for the History and Philosophy of Science, Technology and Medicine (2010-2011, 2012-present).

Education includes:

• BA (MA) Hons in Mathematics, University of Cambridge (1987)
• Certificate of Advanced Study in Mathematics (MMath), University of Cambridge (1988)
• PhD in History, Philosophy and Social Relations of Science, University of Kent (1992)

His research explores the cultural history of science and technology in 18th-19th century Britain, particularly engineering history, science-music relationships, and technological culture. He specializes in historical epistemology of engineering, urban knowledge production, and interdisciplinary studies bridging science with cultural practices. Current projects include a comprehensive biography of engineer W.J.M. Rankine.

Publications demonstrate consistent focus on historical epistemology of engineering, Victorian scientific institutions, and technology's cultural impacts. Recent works examine mechanics philosophy, telecommunications history, and urban knowledge systems, showing methodological emphasis on material culture and institutional analysis.

Awards and fellowships:

• British Academy Postdoctoral Fellow (1993-1995)
• Royal Society-British Academy Fellow in History of Science (1995-2000)
• Dibner Institute Senior Fellow at MIT/Harvard (2005-2006)

He currently accepts PhD students in History and has led AHRC-funded projects on steamship cultural history. Collaborations include ongoing work with National Museum of Scotland. As editor of Notes & Records of the Royal Society (2015-2018), he shaped significant historical scholarship dissemination.