Dr. Carolyn Roberts

Biography

Carolyn Roberts is a historian specializing in the intersection of science and medicine at Yale University. She holds a joint appointment in the Departments of History and African American Studies, as well as a secondary appointment at the Yale School of Medicine in the Program in the History of Medicine. Her research explores how medicine, science, and healthcare have historically shaped human thriving. Notably, Dr. Roberts is dedicated to mobilizing historical knowledge for strategic, multidisciplinary solutions in healthcare. She is involved in initiatives that promote scientific excellence among the next generation of STEM students and faculty. Dr. Roberts is currently establishing the Tubman Lab for Health Innovation, which aims to design and implement curricular innovations in healthcare education and conduct cutting-edge research on harm reduction. Her upcoming book, "Heal Harm: Origin Story of Predatory Medicine in the Western World," will be published by Harvard University Press and focuses on the healthcare system's historical connection to the slave trade. Dr. Roberts has received several prestigious awards for her teaching, including the DeVane Medal for Scholarship in Teaching. She teaches both undergraduate and graduate courses on the history of science and medicine from the sixteenth to the twenty-first centuries. Dr. Roberts is also known for her engaging workshops and media appearances, including collaborations with PBS/NOVA and CNN.

Research Interests