Congratulations to Dr. Kate Sheppard!

Kate defended her doctoral dissertation in the Department of the History of Science on April 19, 2010. Her dissertation is entitled:

The Lady and the Looking Glass: Margaret Murray’s Life in Archaeology.

History of Science Department Associate Professor Katherine Pandora served as Kate’s advisor. After receiving a BA in Sociology and Anthropology from Truman State University, Kate earned an MA in Egyptian Archaeology from University College, London. In 2006, she added another MA from the Department of the History of Science at OU with a thesis entitled “You call this archeology? Flinders Petrie and Eugenics.”

The dissertation reflects Kate’s background in archaeology and her interests in women’s roles in the professionalization of science. More specifically, in the case of Margaret Murray, Kate explains:

“I find it fascinating when women who have been forgotten in the historical record have not simply an assistant-type role in professionalizing a science, but who in fact played a central and crucial role in the establishment of university disciplines, training programs, course development, and career trajectories of many of the more well-known scientists in our century. I also fell in love with public mummy unwrappings and the idea of controlling information by revealing the exotic to the public.”

Kate, shown here with the famous depiction by Vivant Denon of the zodiac ceiling of the Temple of Dendera (in Saulnier, 1822), is heading to Egypt at the end of the summer to take up a 3-year teaching position at the American University in Cairo:

My new position in Cairo is a teaching fellowship where I will be teaching two core curriculum courses in Scientific Thinking and one course of my own choosing! I’m so excited about this opportunity not only to move to Egypt but also to engage with freshmen as they come into the new world of learning on a whole new level.

Kate, we wish you all the best as you continue your academic career, and promise to welcome you back to the History of Science Collections whenever you can return to Norman. Please keep in touch!

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