Lately, I am particularly interested in research on teaching and popularizing history of science by hands-on educational activities using modern Custom Off The Shelve (COTS) technologies such as 3d printers and lasercutters/engravers for producing low cost high quality educational replicas of historical scientific instruments and mechanical inventions.

I believe that teaching students highschool and university students (history of) science & engineering by producing high quality low cost hands-on replicas of medieval machines can be both very educational and inspiring for students.

 

 

My other research academic research interests are:

• Decline theories of Arabic-Islamic Science
• Medieval scientific social networks and the transmission and circulation of scientific knowledge in medieval Islamic societies.
• Scientific/technological objects as diplomatic gifts (water clocks, planetariums, clocks, instruments etc.)
• Digital humanities: using modern technology for humanities research, particularly in the history of science

Research interests related to popularization of Arabic-Islamic Science:

• “Fake” medieval astronomical instruments in public and private collections.
• Correct exhibition and description of medieval scientific objects and subjects in Museums and Exhibitions.
• Production methods and techniques for replica’s and reconstructions of medieval scientific instruments or automata
• Development of hands-on workshops and lesson-plans for the popularization of Arabic-Islamic science.