I study and write about the history of science, technology, and the environment. I’m especially intrigued by the ways that all three intersect, and how the use of technology changes the way humans think about their environments. I am currently working on a history of tornado science and storm chasing.

I am interested in writing and telling stories in a variety of media for audiences beyond the academy. I especially love talking about the craft of writing, but I was surprised to find how few formal opportunities historians have to discuss the writing craft, despite the importance of writing to our work. As a result, I produce and host a podcast, Drafting the Past, dedicated to interviewing historians of all stripes about their approach to writing.

I earned an undergraduate degree in journalism from the University of Missouri-Columbia. I spent a few years working for a small newspaper in Idaho, followed by freelance editing and design, before going back to school to earn my MA in history, with an emphasis in public history, from the University of Missouri-Kansas City. Kansas City, Missouri, is my home, and I divide my time between it and Princeton.

"I have been fortunate to have some amazing professional development experiences in my time at Princeton so far, including serving as the Public Writing Fellow and newsletter editor for the Center for Digital Humanities, contributing to an archival transcription collaboration between the history department, Princeton Library Special Collections, and the Princeton Humanities Council, and taking data management and coding classes through Princeton Research Computing.

My advice to all graduate students is to take advantage of opportunities to try things that intrigue you! Graduate school--especially at Princeton--is an amazing time to connect with experts, build new skills, and gain experiences that are much harder to access without institutional support."

Founder and Host, Drafting the Past Podcast

Personal/Professional Website: kathrynbcarpenter.com; draftingthepast.com

Social Media Links: Twitter: @katebcarp; @draftingthepast