History of the Forum for History of Human Science

Organized in 1988, the Forum for History of Human Science was begun in order to develop closer links between mainstream historians of science, devoted mainly to the study of the natural sciences, and historians of the behavioral and social sciences. It draws its membership from a diverse array of disciplines, and includes professional historians as well as professional scientists.

The Forum for History of Human Science is governed according to a Charter adopted in 1989. The officers include seven elected members of a Steering Committee. In addition, there are the Editor of the FHHS Newsletter and the Editor for the Forum's website. The FHHS Newsletter, normally published twice each year, is distributed free to the membership and to selected institutions and programs.

The primary activity of the Forum for History of Human Science thus far has been to cultivate the area within the History of Science Society by organizing paper sessions at the HSS annual meetings. Since 1989 the Forum has sponsored many sessions which have highlighted the richness and diversity of current scholarship. In addition to encouraging the contributions of younger scholars, these sessions demonstrate that the field can attract the attention of well-known scholars not usually associated with the history of human science. In 1998 the Forum affiliated with the Journal for the History of the Behavioral Sciences, and Forum members joined the editorial board of this journal, whose other affiliates include Cheiron and the European Society for the History of the Human Sciences.

The Forum for History of Human Science has other projects in the planning stages, including special conferences, a special issue of Osiris, and a special reader of Isis articles on the history of human science.

In sum, the aims and activities of the Forum for History of Human Science reinforce the work of the History of Science Society in important ways. It provides a distinct venue for the promotion of an important area of scholarship while at the same time encouraging cross-fertilization with other disciplines, and offers a means of communication among scholars and others interested in the field.

Current and past officers of FHHS

Chair (two-year term, elected in even-numbered years):

Vice-Chair (two-year term, elected in odd-numbered years):

Recording Secretary (two-year term, elected in odd-numbered years):

Treasurer-Corresponding Secretary (two-year term, elected in odd-numbered years):

Previously the positions were separate:

Treasurer:

David Valone	1992-1996
Ben Harris	1989-1991

Corresponding Secretary:

Richard von Mayrhauser	1992-1996
James Capshew	1991
Laurel Furomoto	1989-1990

Four Representatives (each with three-year terms):

Representative One (term ends 2008):

Representative Two (term ends 2006):

Representative Three (term ends 2007):

International Representative (term ends 2008):

Newsletter Editor (appointed to an indefinite term):

Website Editor (appointed to an indefinite term):