Penelope Hardy

Penelope K. Hardy is an Associate Professor of History at UW-La Crosse specializing in ocean science history. Her research analyzes how research vessels enabled modern oceanography through 19th-20th century technological innovations.

Research Focus: Examines naval architecture's role in scientific knowledge production, contested sovereignty in maritime spaces, and environmental perceptions of oceans. Current projects include a co-edited volume, Space of Inquiry (Routledge, 2025).

Leadership: Vice President of H-Net Research & Publications; organizer for the 2025 International Congress on Oceanic Science History in New Zealand.

Key Publications: Explores ocean mapping methodologies (2021), meteorological nationalism (2017), and pedagogical approaches to oceanic history. Regular contributor to Oceanography and curator of H-Sci-Med-Tech reviews.

Awards: Multiple fellowships including from the Smithsonian, American Meteorological Society, and Huntington Library for archival research on maritime technoscience.