Campus Point Connection: Book Celebration for Science and Technology Studies

Three Book Covers: 'Gut Anthro: An Experiment in Thinking with Microbes,' by Amber Benezra, 'Allergic: Our Irritated Bodies in a Changing World," by Theresa MacPhail, and

The School of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences is excited to announce that the first Campus Point Connection of the semester will celebrate three books recently published by faculty members of the science and technology studies program.

Join us for the discussion and reception on Wednesday, March 6 from 4 to 6 p.m. in the Babbio Auditorium (Room 122). RSVPing is appreciated but not required.

'Gut Anthro,' by Amber Benezra, an assistant professor and sociocultural anthropologist, is an ethnography of microbes that offers new opportunities for anthropological inquiry. In collaboration with a human microbial ecologist, Benezra developed an "anthropology of microbes" to address health crises experienced around the globe and across disciplines. Considering health disparities, Benezra argues for cross-disciplinary research into microbial and racial differences.

'Allergic: Our Irritated Bodies in a Changing World," by Theresa MacPhail, an associate professor and medical anthropologist, traces the history of allergies and questions why billions of people worldwide have some form of allergy. Described as “important and deeply researched” by the Wall Street Journal, the book explains what allergies are and why they're getting worse.

'Oceans Under Glass: Tank Craft and the Sciences of the Sea," by Samantha Muka, an assistant professor and historian of marine science, examines how aquarium modeling enhances our knowledge of the marine environment. The book tracks how aquarium users develop and share knowledge on maintaining aquatic life in captivity. Muka examines technological developments and deployments that shape the marine environment.

The event was organized and will be hosted by Katheryn Detwiler, a teaching assistant professor in the science and technology program. Detwiler's research considers how data practices shape the production of scientific knowledge.