birth_date: 1975-06-19 00:00:00
avg_rating: 3.71
name: Audra J. Wolfe
about: am a writer, editor, and historian based in Philadelphia. With a background in both science (B.S., chemistry, Purdue University, 1997) and history (Ph.D., history and sociology of science, University of Pennsylvania, 2002), I’ve been thinking through the relationship between science and power for more than two decades. My work specifically focuses on the role of science during the Cold War, a period when science held a special place in maintaining and projecting state power.My first book, Competing with the Soviets: Science, Technology, and the State in Cold War America (2013), explored the power of science and technology as “stuff”: weapons, rockets, labs, and so on. Since then, my research has moved into the fascinating and disturbing top am a writer, editor, and historian based in Philadelphia. With a background in both science (B.S., chemistry, Purdue University, 1997) and history (Ph.D., history and sociology of science, University of Pennsylvania, 2002), I’ve been thinking through the relationship between science and power for more than two decades. My work specifically focuses on the role of science during the Cold War, a period when science held a special place in maintaining and projecting state power.My first book, Competing with the Soviets: Science, Technology, and the State in Cold War America (2013), explored the power of science and technology as “stuff”: weapons, rockets, labs, and so on. Since then, my research has moved into the fascinating and disturbing topic of propaganda and psychological warfare. My new book, Freedom’s Laboratory: The Cold War Struggle for the Soul of Science (November 2018), looks at the power of the idea of science. What does it mean to think of science as apolitical, as objective, as separate from state institutions during an era of total ideological warfare? How did Cold Warriors hope to use these ideas to sway potential allies to their side? How do these Cold War-era ideas about “apolitical science” continue to influence our thinking about the appropriate role for science in public life today?In addition to my work as a writer and historian, I operate an editorial and publishing consulting company, The Outside Reader, that helps writers of serious nonfiction develop their craft. I offer both on-site and online publishing workshops. I’ve also worked in scholarly publishing, radio production, and university teaching. ...more