David Baneke

Dr. David Baneke is an Associate Professor at the History and Philosophy of Science Department of Utrecht University. His research explores the cultural and political contexts of modern science, focusing on the history of weather forecasting, astronomy and space exploration, the moral economy of international scientific cooperation, and the role of universities in society. He teaches the Master’s course History of Knowledge and supervises multiple theses annually.

Research Themes:

• History of Weather Forecasting (1860–Present)
• International Science Collaboration (Large Telescopes, IAU)
• Dutch Space Science (Cold War, Industry Relations)
• Science Education and Societal Modernity
• Moral Economy of Scientific Expertise

Scientific Awards:

• Teylers Gold Medal (2009) for Synthetisch Denken
• Guggenheim Fellowship (2010)

Advising and Research: Baneke co-supervises PhD projects on postwar European science collaboration, satellite infrastructures, and statistical graphics. His recent publications analyze energy transitions, space culture, and storm warning systems. He is affiliated with Utrecht’s Descartes Centre and contributes to the Institutions for Open Societies (IOS) and Pathways to Sustainability (PtS) research programs.