British Industrial Research to 1939

You are invited to register for a one-day workshop on industrial research before the Second World War. There is no fee but you will need to register here.

Industrial Research was a form of scientific activity newly encountered in early 20th century Britain. It is now attracting historical attention from scholars concerned with science, business, management, technological change and their interfaces. Although rooted in chemistry and electrical engineering it was widely conceived as reaching out much further, for instance to management and to psychology. With expectations that “research” was required of a modern company and a widespread belief that it had the potential to transform an industry Corporations often combined mundane requirements for urgently-needed information. It was supported both by the large companies of the era and by industrial associations and scientific bodies.

Benefiting from a rich range of new work in the area, workshop participants will have a rare opportunity to focus on these special forms of industrial research before The War, and on a specifically British context, at the same time recognising its broader international filiation. The programme is available here

Attendence, including lunch, is free but registration is required. Space will be limited so to avoid disappointment please register as soon as possible.

This workshop is supported by the Arts and Humanities Research Council