Dr. Ruth Oldenziel

Biography

Ruth Oldenziel is a Full Professor of History of Technology at Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e). She specializes in the relationship between Europe and the United States and has served as the Editor in Chief of 'Technology and Culture,' the flagship journal of the Society for the History of Technology (SHOT). Her expertise spans fields like the history of science and technology, American and European history, mobility studies, cultural studies, and gender studies. Oldenziel's research focuses on the mutual shaping of technological knowledge and practices between Europe and the United States in a transnational context. She leads the research program 'Sustainable Urban Mobility since the 1850s' (SUM), and directs the 'Cycling Cities: The Global Experience' project, which involves 50 cities across 25 countries and has garnered significant attention from policymakers and researchers worldwide. Additionally, she has a keen interest in analyzing how seemingly insignificant technologies can have a profound impact on society, often exploring the extraordinary in the ordinary. Oldenziel obtained her PhD in American History from Yale University and has previously held positions as an Associate Professor at the University of Amsterdam and as a senior research fellow at the Carson Center for Environment and Society at LMU Munich. She frequently comments on topical issues in the media and is involved in various academic and advisory roles across multiple institutions in the United States and Europe.

Research Interests