WELCOME! Whatever it is that brings you to the Holtz Center’s virtual office, I am delighted to share a bit about who we are and what we do.

Since 2001, we have served as home for faculty, staff, and students who share an interest in the the inner workings and complex social roles of science and technology. As a center, we build and enrich our community by:

  • creating transformative learning experiences for undergraduate and graduate students
  • cultivating fresh ideas and new projects through direct support of research and travel
  • catalyzing collaboration and interaction through recurring seminars and visiting speakers
  • stimulating powerful public dialog through community outreach and public events

On a personal note, ever since I arrived in Madison as a new assistant professor, the Holtz Center has provided me with a endless stream of brilliant, creative, and funny colleagues—many of us happy misfits in our own fields who delight in the ideas that spring forth from unexpected intellectual encounters. Even among the myriad scholarly riches of the UW-Madison, I have found the Holtz Center to be a treasure.

This year, as the University (and the world) responds to the harsh incursion of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Holtz Center is redoubling its commitment to students and emerging scholars. We’re putting more funding into scholarships and seeking new ways to replace mentorship, networking, and professional development opportunities that have been lost. If you wish to support these efforts, or contribute to our other programs, please feel free to contact me, or give directly online.

In 2021, we will celebrate our 20th anniversary amid what we hope will be an enthusiastic renewal of in-person public and scholarly events. Despite disruption, we continue to grow as a center, adding new affiliates and new exciting programs. There is a lot to look forward to.