Emma Perkins

Dr Emma Perkins is a historian specializing in early modern astronomy and visual/material culture within science. She holds a Teaching Professor role in the Department of History and Philosophy of Science at the University of Cambridge, where she teaches undergraduate and postgraduate students. Her research focuses on the role of visual representation in scientific advancements, particularly in the works of figures like Tycho Brahe. She earned her degrees from Newnham College, Cambridge, progressing from Natural Sciences to History and Philosophy of Science at the MPhil and PhD levels.

Her academic journey includes fellowships at the University of Oklahoma (Andrew W. Mellon Travel Fellowship) and the University of Oxford (Bodleian Library Fellowship). She currently serves as Director of Studies in History (Part IB) and contributes to teaching across multiple levels within the department. Her research explores how diagrams, figures, and material culture transformed astronomical understanding from the 15th to 17th centuries, as seen in her work on the AHRC-funded project 'Diagrams, Figures and the Transformation of Astronomy, 1450-1650.'

Her scholarly interests extend to the intersection of art and science in early modern Europe, emphasizing how visual tools facilitated scientific progress. She actively participates in academic networks such as the Cabinet of Natural History and engages in interdisciplinary research collaborations.