The History of Pharmacy Working Group is a space for exploring how pharmacy has shaped—and been shaped by—science, society, and culture across time and around the globe. From ancient materia medica to modern pharmaceutical giants, pharmacy has always been more than just pills and prescriptions. It is a profession, a science, a business, and a deep human endeavor. This group dives into the many lives of pharmacy: as a healing art, a site of knowledge production, a tool of empire, and a driver of global economics.
We intend to spark interdisciplinary conversations among historians of science, medicine, and technology, as well as scholars in pharmaceutical studies, STS, and medical anthropology. We want to think across borders—geographic, temporal, and disciplinary—and bring together people who are curious about how pharmacy has operated in different contexts, from colonial drug trades to contemporary AI-driven drug development. Along the way, we’ll hopefully support emerging scholarship through regular meetings, manuscript workshops, and collaborative projects, with an eye toward a future publication or symposium.
Consortium Respectful Behavior Policy
Participants at Consortium activities will treat each other with respect and consideration to create a collegial, inclusive, and professional environment that is free from any form of discrimination, harassment, or retaliation.
Participants will avoid any inappropriate actions or statements based on individual characteristics such as age, race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, nationality, political affiliation, ability status, educational background, or any other characteristic protected by law. Disruptive or harassing behavior of any kind will not be tolerated. Harassment includes but is not limited to inappropriate or intimidating behavior and language, unwelcome jokes or comments, unwanted touching or attention, offensive images, photography without permission, and stalking.
Participants may send reports or concerns about violations of this policy to conduct@chstm.org.
Past Meetings
Group Conveners
JJ REYNOLDS-STRANGE
University of Wisconsin, Madison PhD Student
Lucas Richert
Lucas is a Professor in UW-Madison's School of Pharmacy, where he holds the George Urdang Chair in Pharmacy History. His areas of focus include legal and illegal drugs, drug science and technology, alternative therapies, and mental health.