Rebecca Lemov

Rebecca Lemov is an Assistant Professor in the Department of the History of Science at Harvard University since 2008. She specializes in the history of the behavioral sciences in the 20th century, with a focus on Cold War studies, social control, and methodological innovation in data collection.

• Education: BA in English Literature (Yale University), PhD in Cultural Anthropology (University of California, Berkeley)

Her research explores the intersection of science, technology, and archival practices. Notable works include the book World as Laboratory (2005), which examines the quest for social control through experiments, and Database of Dreams (2015), which investigates a forgotten social science archive using Microcard technology.

The articles listed demonstrate her engagement with Cold War-era behavioral sciences, data preservation, and technological determinism. Themes include the evolution of rationality, social engineering, and epistemological shifts in data collection.

• Scientific Awards: New York Times 'Editors Choice' (2006) for World as Laboratory