In the mid-nineteenth century, numerous microscopy societies and journals were launched, catering to a diverse community of amateur and professional scientists, physicians, and engineers. In her thesis, Beiermann studies the formation of a microscopy community in the pages of London’s periodical press and shows that subgroups within the community aligned with various epistemic systems – ways of knowing and making – that either lost or gained importance. Science professionalisation is thus conceptualised as a change in prominent epistemic programs. As present-day citizen science projects again destabilise categories of amateurism and professionalism, this thesis allows us to contrast current developments with earlier configurations of the amateur/professional dichotomy.

Beiermann wrote her thesis, entitled:  ‘Microscopical Science”: Building an Instrumental Community in London’s Periodical Press, 1860-1880’ to complete the Cultures of Arts, Science and Technology programme (RMSc) at Maastricht University. She graduated in Juni 2017.