Exploring the science of 1875 – new podcast series by Faculty research centre marks 150th anniversary of the Yorkshire College of Science
The Science of 1875 podcast explores what was known, what was new, and what was controversial in the scientific world of the time – and where these ideas ultimately led
What did science look like 150 years ago? A new podcast series from the Centre for the History and Philosophy of Science (HPS) at the University of Leeds delves into this question, uncovering the big ideas in science, technology and medicine that shaped people’s lives in the late 19th century.
The Yorkshire College of Science was officially opened on 6 October 1875. It originally provided technical and practical education tailored to the needs of local industries but soon grew into a wide-ranging institution of teaching and research, and was a granted a royal charter as the University of Leeds in 1904.
Now, to mark its 150th anniversary, The Science of 1875 podcast explores what was known, what was new, and what was controversial in the scientific world of the time – and where these ideas ultimately led.
Through engaging conversations with academics and postgraduate researchers from the Centre for HPS, each fortnightly episode focuses on a different scientific discipline or theme, including evolution, biology, mining, and physics.
The first episode, featuring postgraduate researcher Grace Exley, focuses on the science of geology, and is out on 20 January 2025.
Professor James Stark, Director of the Centre for History & Philosophy of Science and Professor of Medical Humanities at the School of Philosophy, Religion and History of Science, said:
"This series sheds light on the scientific debates and discoveries that shaped the late 19th century, celebrating the connections between the Yorkshire College of Science and national and global discussions on science. It explores the College’s legacy and significance, while showcasing the remarkable expertise at Leeds in nineteenth-century British science – an area where the Centre for the History and Philosophy of Science is one of the leading units in the world. We hope you enjoy listening to the podcast as much as we enjoyed creating it."
All episodes of The Science of 1875 will be available on Spotify, with new episodes added fortnightly.
Read more about the 150-year evolution of the University of Leeds.
