Dr John Lidwell-Durnin

I am a lecturer in the History of Science specializing in the intersection of agricultural science and environmental history. My research delves into how scientific practices have shaped societies' responses to challenges like food security and ecological change. With a diverse array of publications spanning leading historical journals (The Historical Journal, British Journal for the History of Science) and scientific outlets (Global Food Security), my work bridges disciplinary divides. I am currently working to develop the History of Entomology, and my most recent publications have been working to strengthen our understanding of how entomological science has both contributed and responded to the environmental costs of agriculture and meeting the subsistence needs of the planet.

My forthcoming monograph, funded by a Leverhulme Research Fellowship (2024-2025), examines the evolution of state-led efforts to use agricultural science in addressing famine and food supply challenges during the modern era. This monograph project will highlight the role of environmental and agricultural transformations in shaping global food systems.

Before joining the University of Exeter in 2021, I taught at the University of Oxford, where I was a Departmental Lecturer and an Adjunct Fellow at Linacre College. I hold a D.Phil in the History of Science, Medicine, and Technology and a B.Phil in Philosophy from the University of Oxford. 

In addition to my research, I am committed to public engagement and interdisciplinary collaboration. I have contributed to media platforms like BBC 4 and Dan Snow’s History Hit podcast. I am also interested in the gamification of the history of science and opportunities to develop new digital media for experiencing the past. At Exeter, I teach modules on imperial science, famines, and the population problem.