Dr. Eric Scerri

Dr. Eric Scerri is a chemist, author and leading historian and philosopher of science, specializing in the periodic table of the chemical elements. He is the author of "The Periodic Table, Its Story and Its Significance" (Oxford University Press, 2007) and numerous other books on this and related topics.

His writing includes a number of books directed at the general public such as "A Very Short Introduction to the Periodic Table and 30-Second Elements." He is a frequent contributor to popular science magazines such as Scientific American and New Scientist.

Dr. Scerri has been a full-time lecturer in chemistry and history & philosophy of science at UCLA for the past fifteen years where he regularly teaches classes of 350 undergraduates as well as classes in history and philosophy of science. His research ranges across many areas including chemical education, and historical and philosophical questions such as the relationship between chemistry and quantum physics.

He has been a consultant for TV and radio programs and has appeared extensively in TV interviews such as in the highly successful PBS series titled “The Mystery of Matter.”

In his latest book, A Tale of Seven Scientists and A New Philosophy of Science In his latest book, Eric Scerri presents a completely original account of the nature of scientific progress. It consists of a holistic and unified approach in which science is seen as a living and evolving single organism. Instead of scientific revolutions featuring exceptionally gifted individuals, Scerri argues that the "little people" contribute as much as the "heroes" of science. To do this he examines seven case studies of virtually unknown chemists and physicists in the early 20th century quest to discover the structure of the atom.

Dr. Scerri has given lectures to general audiences on all six continents.