Drawing the Line between Pure and Applied Physics

Martin, Joseph D.

Abstract

The categories of pure and applied science—and by extension, pure and applied physics—have a complicated relationship. They have sometimes been complements, sometimes opposites, and routinely at the centre of debates about how scientific labour should be both divided and rewarded. Their presence in the name of the International Union of Pure and Applied Physics indicates how these categories reflected the Union’s aspiration at its founding. As the Union evolved, and became more global, the question of the pure–applied distinction and its role in the organisation’s mission became more fraught. This chapter explores how, and with what consequences, IUPAP managed the pure/applied distinction as its significance evolved through the last hundred years.

Citation

Martin, J. D. (2024). Drawing the Line between Pure and Applied Physics. In R. Lalli, & J. Navarro (Eds.), Globalizing Physics: One Hundred Years of the International Union of Pure and Applied Physics. Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/oso/9780198878681.003.0005

• Online Publication Date: Jul 9, 2024
• Publication Date: Jul 9, 2024
• Deposit Date: Sep 8, 2023
• Publicly Available Date: Sep 27, 2024
• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Book Title: Globalizing Physics: One Hundred Years of the International Union of Pure and Applied Physics
• ISBN: 9780198878681
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/oso/9780198878681.003.0005
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1733133
• Publisher URL: https://global.oup.com/academic/product/globalizing-physics-9780198878681?cc=gb&lang=en&
• Contract Date: Aug 20, 2023