John Krige

School of History and Sociology

Kranzberg Professor and Regents' Professor

Historian researching the intersection between science and technology and foreign policy, with emphasis on development of civilian nuclear and space programs, as well as controls placed on the circulation of knowledge in the name of national security.

Knowledge is embodied in people, ideas and things. Knowledge is power. It is a national economic and military asset. It is at the core of global competition for markets and influence. It needs to be produced and shared to grow, it needs to be regulated to be protected. Where does the balance lie?

Areas of Expertise

Export Controls
History of Technology and Science
Nuclear Proliferation
Technology Transfer
U.S. Foreign Policy

Biography

Krige, president of the Society for History and Technology, has written extensively on scientific and technological cooperation since World War II. His work includes histories of CERN, the European Space Agency and an expansive book examining NASA’s history from an international context. His current research focuses on the tension between the benefits of global circulation of scientific knowledge and restrictions placed on that dissemination in the name of national security.

He can comment on stories involving the modern history of science and technology, the tension between regulation and circulation of sensitive knowledge, challenges to academic freedom, civilian nuclear programs and the European and U.S. space programs.