COLLABORATION IN BASIC SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING (COBASE)

Aiming to study the available Bulgarian physics textbooks and printed lectures from the 1920s to analyze the reasons for the adoption of quantum mechanics and relativity by Bulgarian scientists during that period, Stephen G. Brush, University of Maryland, invited Nikolina Sretenova, Institute for Philosophical Research of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences for a three-week visit during the fall of 2000. Their collaboration was designed in the context of a larger research project entitled "Comparative Study of Theory Evaluation in Different Sciences."

The research agenda pursued by the collaborators was driven in part by questions such as whether or not the process of adoption of contemporary science theories of physics and genetics in the countries of the 'science periphery' (such as Bulgaria) coincided with the same process in 'science center' countries, or whether a particular delay can be documented. Such inquiries have significant impact on comparative studies of scientific history. Specifically surveyed in Sretenova's research were several bibliographic publications offered by Brush on sources for the history of 20th century physics, which are not available in Bulgaria.

Additionally, Sretenova had an opportunity to visit the American Institute of Physics Center for History of Physics and The American Philosophical Society in Philadelphia and establish several professional contacts. Sretenova also initiated valuable contacts through meetings with American philosophers and historians of science.