Catherine Abou-Nemeh

Dr. Catherine Abou-Nemeh is a Senior Lecturer in Early Modern History at the School of History, Philosophy, Political Science and International Relations at Victoria University of Wellington. She joined Victoria University of Wellington in 2013 after teaching in the Department of History at Princeton University, bringing significant international experience to her role.

Her educational background includes:

• BSc (Hons) from Northwestern University, Evanston, United States
• MA from Princeton University, Princeton, United States
• PhD from Princeton University, Princeton, United States

Dr. Abou-Nemeh's research focuses on early modern European intellectual history and the history of science, particularly examining the intersection between philosophy, natural knowledge, and craft practices. She is currently completing a book manuscript on the Dutch natural philosopher and lens-maker Nicolas Hartsoeker (1656-1725). Her work demonstrates how figures like Hartsoeker bridged practical craft knowledge and theoretical scientific inquiry, challenging traditional distinctions between 'makers' and 'thinkers' in early modern science. She has presented her research at leading universities worldwide including Princeton, Harvard, Caltech, Johns Hopkins, Cambridge, Oxford, Sydney, Queensland, Auckland and Otago.

Analysis of her recent publications reveals a consistent focus on the history of scientific communication, the development of scientific methodology, and the relationship between philosophy and practical knowledge in early modern Europe. Her scholarship frequently examines how early modern thinkers conceptualized uncertainty, conjecture, and the limits of knowledge - themes that remain relevant to contemporary scientific practice. She has established herself as a leading scholar in the history of scientific communication and the intellectual networks of the early modern period.

Dr. Abou-Nemeh has received several prestigious research fellowships:

• Dibner Research Fellow in the History of Science and Technology at the Huntington Library (2012)
• Visiting Scholar in the History Department at Harvard University (2016)
• Visiting research fellowship at École Normale Supérieure, Paris (2008-2009)
• Scaliger Institute, Leiden University (2009)
• Edward Worth Library in Dublin (2011)

Dr. Abou-Nemeh actively supervises Masters and PhD students in early modern history. Her international reputation is evidenced by her extensive presentation record at major academic institutions worldwide. She has also engaged with public audiences through media appearances including Radio New Zealand and The Conversation, demonstrating her commitment to public scholarship and the application of historical perspectives to contemporary issues such as euthanasia, pandemic responses, and university funding.