The Lone Star History of Science Group is pretty much what it sounds like—a loose-knit and very informal organization of historians of science, technology, the environment, and medicine from around the state of Texas. It was founded in Austin in March 1988 and around bluebonnet time in March or April of every year since then (apart from the Covid-19 years of 2020, 2021, and 2022), the group has gather
ed in one or another Texas city (usually Austin, Houston, or College Station) to hear a talk, enjoy dinner together, and get to know each other a little better. The longevity of the Lone Star Group probably owes a lot to its simplicity: on its founding, its members agreed that the "organization" would have no bylaws, officers, or dues, and it still gets along very well without them.
We'll hold our 2026 meeting on Friday, April 10th, in Huntsville, where Prof. Scottie Buehler of Sam Houston State University will be our host. Prof. Pratik Chakrabarti of the University of Houston will be our speaker; here is an abstract of his talk, "In their Genes: Genetics and the Reinvention of Indigeneity":
Genomic research has revolutionized the study of human history. The analysis of human ancestry through genetics has focused particularly on Indigenous populations, as it is believed that their genes contain traces of ancient hominin ones. I argue that these methods continue to be defined by nineteenth-century racial ideas that certain populations are frozen in time, unchanging, and isolated from broader human developments. This paper traces this intersection of older racial frames and modern technologies in defining our present ideas of humanity.
Around 3:30 pm we'll begin gathering for light refreshments in Room 452 of Academic Building 4 at Sam Houston State University; Prof. Chakrabarti's talk will follow at 4:00 pm. After Pratik's talk we’ll head off for dinner and conversation at a nearby restaurant.
For a list of past meetings, with the date, city, site, speaker, topic, and where we went to dinner, click on the "Past Meetings" tab above. Most of the entries also include a link to the account of the meeting published in the History of Science Society Newsletter, often with a photo of the assembled group. We're also gradually adding other photos, which you can find by clicking the "Photographs" tab above.
Anyone wishing to be added to the e-mail list for the Lone Star Group (and that's all it takes to become a member in good standing) should contact Bruce Hunt at the University of Texas: bjhunt@austin.utexas.edu.