This event brings together historians of science, technology, and the environment for a discussion-oriented workshop focusing on the historical epistemology of planetary modelling. The aim is to interrogate how data and modelling came to dominate the understanding of the planetary crisis as well as to think critically about how power relations affect knowledge production about global environmental change. The workshop will explore the integrative potentials as well as the epistemic frictions between Earth system science and historical and archaeological complexity of the Anthropocene. At present, in spite of ever-increasing amounts of environmental data and improved modelling capabilities, agreed targets like the 1.5 C degree goal are declared dead halfway through the path to Agenda 2030. Why do ever-more detailed simulations and rich data not lead to better policy and a stronger societal response to modelled testimonies? How can historical understanding better inform the epistemology of Earth system science? And how can knowledge from Earth system science be better integrated into Anthropocene history?

The workshop will explore the impact and lack of impact of modelling, simulation, datafication, on society, model and data colonialism, knowledge, and the global environment, including energy demand forecasting, archaeological systems, climate and ocean modelling, as well as modelling of the lithosphere, and plannified models of sustainable futures. The workshop will feature a mix of speakers who will respond to how modelling and datafication emerged historically in the post-war era, and integrated into Earth System science, and attained its present epistemological status. Through these perspectives, we will also explore the historicity of modelling and data and how these methods have changed and continue to change the practice of history in the Anthropocene, asking fundamental epistemic questions about the power relations, agency, frictions and limitations, and the purpose of modelled and datafied environmental epistemologies. Find the full program here.