Historian Professor Projit Bihari Mukharji Wins Prestigious Pfizer Award

New Delhi, November 18, 2024 - Renowned historian and Head of the History Department at Ashoka University, Professor Projit Bihari Mukharji, has been honored with the prestigious 2024 Pfizer Award by the History of Science Society (HSS). This annual award recognises a book that significantly contributes to our understanding of the history of science.

Professor Mukharji's acclaimed book, "Brown Skins , White Coats: Race Science in India , 1920–66", has garnered widespread acclaim for its meticulous analysis of how scientific practices were deeply intertwined with racial ideologies during the colonial era in India. The book provides a nuanced exploration of how science was redefined and repurposed within Indian national and regional contexts to suit postcolonial nation-building ambitions.

The Pfizer Award, presented by HSS, is presented annually to authors whose work significantly advances our understanding of the history of science. Professor Mukharji's groundbreaking research has been praised for its originality, depth, and critical exploration of historical narratives in genetic studies and healthcare systems in South Asia.

In a statement acknowledging the award, Professor Mukharji expressed his gratitude, stating: "I am thrilled that my work has made a meaningful contribution to a broader understanding of global medical history." His book has already received significant attention for its insightful examination of how India appropriatively and redefined race science within its own national and regional contexts.