Peter Hobbins

Dr Peter Hobbins is an Honorary Associate in the Department of History at the University of Sydney, specialising in the history of science, technology, and medicine. He holds advanced degrees: BA BSc from the University of Melbourne and MMedicalHum and PhD from the University of Sydney. His research focuses on colonial science, aviation safety, military medicine, and human-animal interactions. He has authored/co-authored major works like *Venomous Encounters* (2017) and contributed to projects on quarantine history and aviation safety infrastructure. Awards include the Rita and John Cornforth Medal (2014) and the Allan Martin Award (2018). Hobbins supervises postgraduate research in science history, Australian colonial history, and historical archaeology. Current students include Shayne Brown (orthoptics history) and Tamsin O’Connor (penal station power dynamics). He leads grants like the ARC-supported *Heritage of the Air* and has curated public history initiatives, including a community-focused influenza pandemic research project. His work bridges academic and public history, emphasizing collaborative research with museums and communities.

Research interests span aviation safety systems, medical research in colonial Australia, and the role of non-human actors (e.g., snakes, aircraft) in shaping scientific and technical knowledge. Recent articles address aviation black boxes, Second World War air force accidents, and pandemic archival practices. Hobbins is actively engaged in public outreach, delivering over 20 annual presentations to community groups and co-convening international conferences on aviation cultures.

Notable publications include *Stories from the Sandstone* (2016) on quarantine inscriptions and *Beyond the void: technology, air safety and Australian airspace, 1938-68* exploring aviation infrastructure. His work often intersects with material culture, such as analyzing aircraft crash sites or historical medical instruments.