About

Long story short. Focused on mathematics and physics as an undergraduate. Struggled mightily in tests to solve simple physics problems like

Determine the relativistic motion of a charged particle under the action of mutually perpendicular electric and magnetic fields.

and easy math problems like

Differentiate the following: eax(a sin bx - b cos bx).

Read James Joyce's Ulysses for escape and light entertainment late into the night.

Changed directions and studied English lit and creative writing in grad school. Fortuitously hired as a science writer/editor by Argonne National Laboratory after a brief stint writing for a medical publisher. In my spare time, a few years later, began writing occasional scholarly articles on scientific communication. Decided the science writing life was my true calling, so no wasting time and money to get degree in law or -- heaven forbid -- business administration.

One day, concocted idea for possible book on the origin and evolution of the scientific article. Given the importance of the scientific article to science and (indirectly) society, believed it a neglected topic worthy of book-length treatment. Got nowhere fast: given the vastness of the scientific literature spanning four centuries, where does one even begin?

Turning point. Read and admired The Rhetoric of Science by Alan G. Gross, professor in communications studies at the University of Minnesota at the time. Then, invited him to speak at Argonne. Over an unusually long lunch after this talk, convinced him we should write a research monograph on the scientific article. With his key input, hammered out how to best approach such an ambitious project. Guesstimated that it would take us two or three years tops. Initially assisted by Michael Reidy, then a grad student, it took nine years (Oxford University Press, 2002).

Wrote five more books on scientific communication with Alan over the next twenty odd years, independent of my Argonne gig. Also, curated an exhibition on the history of the scientific journal for the Special Collections Department of the University of Chicago's Regenstein Library and delivered a pre-show lecture before Bertolt Brecht's Life of Galileo, admirably performed by the Chicago company Remy Bumppo. What a treat that was!

I created this website to encourage more folks to take out of a library or, better still, buy one or more of our books. See the "Books" webpage herein to better judge whether any one might be worth your while. Other pages cover other publications, as well as presentations.

CONTACT

I enjoy talking to various groups about my twin passions, science and its effective communication to diverse audiences. Contact me at josephharmon2@gmail.com.