President
Gemma Smart is a Philosopher of Science studying at the University of Sydney. Her current research interests lie in the Philosophy of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, with a particular focus on the Philosophy and Science of addiction. Other research interests include Science and Ethics, Nature-based Ethics, Mysticism and the synthesis of Science and Spirituality.
Gemma’s background is in Environmental Science and Human Geography, and she has published on the social application and implications of Agricultural Science in remote developing regions, and homelessness among urban Indigenous Australians.
Email: president@aahpsss.net.au
Vice-President
Samara Greenwood is a scholar in History and Philosophy of Science studying at the University of Melbourne. Samara’s thesis explores the relationship between social contexts and science using an Integrated HPS approach. Samara was the founding producer of The HPS Podcast and was awarded the Ian Langham Prize at the 2021 AAHPSSS Conference.
Email: vicepresident@aahpsss.net.au
Secretary
James Bradley is a senior lecturer in the History and Philosophy of Science at the University of Melbourne, where he teaches subjects like ‘Genetics, Biopower and History’ and ‘Minds and Madness’. Over the course of his long career, he has written about many things including cricket, tattooing, alternative medicine, Darwin’s delay, and convict transportation to Australia. His current work on early nineteenth-century anatomy, surgery and physiology focuses upon Charles Bell and his relationship to the history of emotions, which resulted in his recent Studies in the History and Philosophy of Science article ‘Redefining a Discovery’ (2024) as well as ‘The Anatomy Theatre and the Slaughterhouse’ forthcoming in Medical History (2026). He is currently writing a full-length biography on Bell and the emotions.
Email: secretary@aahpsss.net.au
Treasurer
Carl Joseph Sciglitano is a PhD candidate in the History & Philosophy of Science program at the University of Melbourne. His thesis explores how the introduction of digital photography shaped the work and epistemology of astronomers. Carl holds a Master’s degree in Science (Astronomy) and a Diploma of Arts (HPS).
Email: treasurer@aahpsss.net.au
Communications Officer
Christopher Orrell is a PhD candidate in the History and Philosophy of Science at the University of Melbourne. His research investigates the ways in which nineteenth century medical journals were used to construct scientific knowledge, as well as communities and cultures of profession based on shared claims to exclusive possession of said knowledge. His research is situated in the Digital Humanities space, and is focussed on developing a methodology that balances the usefulness of text mining with the subjectivity of humanities research. He has a BA in History from La Trobe University, a BA(Hons) in History from Monash University, and a MA in History and Philosophy of Science from the University of Melbourne.
Email: webmaster@aahpsss.net.au
Postgraduate Representatives
Position Vacant
Committee Members
Rebecca C. Mann is a PhD Candidate in the School of History and Philosophy of Science at The University of Sydney. Rebecca’s thesis explores the intricacies of the concept of biological individuality and its use across disciplines, including biology, philosophy of biology, metaphysics, and ethics. Rebecca also has a Bachelor of Genetics with Honours from the Australian National University and a Diploma of Arts (Philosophy) from The University of Sydney. Rebecca has a keen interest in odd biological entities, with a particular fascination for social insects like the honey bee.
Steve Kambouris
Jacob Hall
Immediate Past President
Martin Bush is a Research Fellow in the School of Historical and Philosophical Studies at the University of Melbourne with expertise in the cultural history of popular science and professional experience in science communication and the museum sector. Particular interests include planetariums, public reasoning practices and the science communication work of the Ngarrindjeri Australian David Unaipon. His recent PhD from Swinburne University is on popular astronomy in Australia in the era of the lantern slide and his essay from the thesis on the Proctor-Parkes affair was a joint winner of the 2016 Mike Smith Student Prize for History of Australian Science.