At the height of the antiwar struggle in the late 1960s, a group of scientists and engineers based in Cambridge, Mass., began to turn a critical eye on the role of their fields in the larger political culture. Calling themselves Scientists and Engineers for Social and Political Action (SESPA), the group took the slogan "Science for the People," which in turn became the name of their organization. With a collective membership that spread nation-wide, Science for the People was a voice for radical science and an active presence framing several of the scientific debates of the day. Through its vigorous publications, SftP explored issues ranging from the impact of military and corporate control of research to scientific rationalization of racism, sexism, and other forms of inequality; and they contributed to the discussions of recombinant DNA, sociobiology, IQ and biological determinism, women's health care, nuclear power, and the rise of biotechnology. Many members were engaged in supporting anti-imperialist resistance in Central America and Asia during the 1980s. The organization gradually waned in the 1980s and published the last issue of its magazine in 1989.
Donated by several members of the organization, the Science for the People collection provides a window into the organization and operation of a collective devoted to radical science. In addition to meeting minutes and notes, and some correspondence, the collection includes a nearly complete run of the Science for the People magazine, and a substantial representation of the national and Nicaragua newsletters and topical publications. Photographs from the group's trip to China and other areas abroad in 1978 are available online, along with videos of the talks and sessions from a 2014 conference on the history and legacy of SftP.
In the late 1960s, a group of radical scientists and engineers began to turn a critical eye on the role of their fields in the larger political culture. Calling themselves Scientists and Engineers for Social and Political Action (SESPA), announcing that "if you are tired of science for the pentagon or science for business, try science for the people." Their slogan "Science for the People" (SftP), became the name of their organization.
With a collective membership, decentralized, and little hierarchy, SftP was truly a grassroots organization, spawning chapters nationwide, usually based in research universities, though not limited to them. As Herb Fox, one of the group's founders noted, there was a vigorous debate in the early years of the organization over precisely what SftP should be: whether they should see themselves as engaged primarily in class struggle (in a Marxist sense) emphasizing the issues of science, as an organization devoted to using science in the interest of the people, or more generally as a group that would take a critical approach to examining the social and political impact of science and the misuse of science.
From these sometimes contentious beginnings, SftP emerged into a powerful voice for radical science, communicating its ideas through the bi-monthly magazine it published from 1970 to 1989 and a string of pamphlets and books on the major scientific issues of the day. In the 1970s and 1980s, members of the organization were influential in building opposition to military and corporate control of research and to scientific rationalization of racism, sexism, and other forms of inequality. SftP were indispensable participants in high-profile debates over recombinant DNA technologies; sociobiology, IQ, and biological determinism; women's health care; nuclear power; and the rise of biotechnology. Many of its members were engaged in supporting anti-imperialist resistance in Central America and Asia during the 1980s.
Although the organization gradually waned in the 1980s, publishing the last issue of its magazine in 1989, the issues it confronted have not. After a conference on the history of the organization was held at UMass Amherst in 2014, Science for the People has reorganized, with chapters reappearing at universities around the country including University of Michigan, MIT, and UMass Amherst.
Scope of collection
The Science for the People Records documents the organizational life, publication history, and research of the science activist group from 1966 to 1992, as well as a conference about the group held in 2014.
The collection contains a nearly complete run of the Science for the People magazine which was published bi-monthly from 1969-1989; in addition there are various publications about sociobiology, racism, sexism, and war. There are organizational notes, as well as national and regional newsletters from New York, Nicaragua, and Boston chapters. There are also subject files related to the organization's research pertaining to sociobiology, recombinant DNA, nuclear power, anti-war, and other topics. Photographs from the group's trip to China and other areas abroad in 1978 are available online, along with videos of the talks and sessions from a 2014 conference on the history and legacy of SftP.
Series 1 contains documents related to the organization's day to day operations. There are
meeting notes from the steering committee, board of directors, and various chapters. There are
national newsletters and those for the Boston and Nicaragua chapters. It also contains promotional
materials, correspondence between members, videos from a 2014 conference, and information about the Valentine and Unity Caucuses.
Series 2 contains publications by Science for the People, and various regional SftP groups. This includes issues of the bimonthly SftP magazine from 1970-1989. There are also subject specific publications relating to topics including food resources, nuclear power, sociobiology, the military, and health care produced by the national SftP organization and local chapters.
Series 3 contains topical research for a variety of subjects which SftP published about or discussed. It contains information on China, food, energy, nuclear power, recombinant DNA, sociobiology, and war.
Inventory
Series 1. Organizational Materials
1970-2018
1.5 boxes (.75 linear feet)
American Association for the Advancement of Science Meeting in Boston
1976
Box 5: 1
Balance Sheet and Invoices
1989 Dec 8-1991 Jun 31
Box 7: 1
Bankruptcy, IRS and Tax Documents
ca.1971 Jun 21-1991 Apr 17
Box 7: 2
Bankruptcy, IRS and Tax Documents
ca.1991 Sept 18/1999 Feb 26
Box 7: 3
Benefit Cocktail Party Invitations
undated
Box 1: 1
Board of Directors
1990-1991
Box 1: 2
Board of Directors: Ross Feldberg notes
1990-1992
Box 1: 3
Boston Area Science for the People
1973-1974
Box 1: 4
Boston Area Science for the People: Meeting Notes
1976
Box 1: 5
Boston Globe Bills
1990 Jul 5-Aug 26
Box 7: 4
Brochures, Flyers and Letterheads
ca.1985
Box 7: 5
Circa date inferred from time range of the general collection.
Chapter Correspondence, Position Papers and Organization Plannning
ca.1970-1991
Box 7: 6
Circular Letters
ca.1970,1991
Box 7: 7
Circular Letters and Letter Templates
ca.1985
Box 7: 8
Circa date inferred from time range of the general collection.
Circa date inferred from time range of the general collection.
Correspondence: FBI
ca.1991 Oct 15-1992 Oct 14
Box 7: 15
Regarding Freedom of Information Act Requests.
Correspondence: Herod, James
2019 Aug 23
Box 7: 16
Correspondence: Letters: Harris, Michael
ca.1986 Jan 9-1991 Mar 18
Box 7: 17
Correspondence: Nicaraguan Embassy
1985 Oct 9-1986 Nov 24
Box 7: 18
Correspondence: Petrucelly and Nadler P.C.
1991 Feb 13-1992 Aug 20
Box 7: 19
Correspondence: Promotional Mailings
ca.1981
Box 1: 8
Correspondence: Schneider, Scott
1977
Box 1: 9
Correspondence: Weinrub, Al
1976-1983
Box 1: 10
Dispatches from NICA
1988 Aug 12-Dec 7
Box 7: 20
Dispatches from NICA
1989 Jan 12-1990 Sept 5
Box 7: 21
Mostly contains email correspondence.
Dispatches from NICA
1990 Oct
Box 7: 22
Donation Materials
1991, undated
Box 7: 23
Donation Tracking Materials
1980-1989
Box 7: 24
Donation Tracking Materials
1980-1989
Box 7: 25
Donation Tracking Materials
1980-1989
Box 7: 26
Donation Tracking Materials
1980-1989
Box 7: 27
Donation Tracking Materials
1980-1989
Box 7: 28
Donation Tracking Materials
1980-1989
Box 7: 29
Donation Tracking Materials
1980-1989
Box 7: 30
Financial Notes
1989/1990
Box 7: 31
Flyers
1984, undated
Box 7: 32
Mostly undated.
Flyers and Handbills
ca.2018
Box 7: 33
Flyers and Pamphlets
ca.1989
Box 7: 34
The Fundamental amd Principal Contradictions in SftP
undated
Box 4: 38
Historical Benchmarks
1970-1979
Box 1: 11
Impact: Report on Science and Technology
ca.1980
Box 1: 12
Internal Discussion Bulletin
1979
Box 1: 13
Internal Discussion Bulletin
1982
Box 1: 14
Letterheads and Envelope Address Stickers
undated
Box 7: 35
Lists of Papers, Periodicals and Workshops
ca.1976-1991
Box 7: 36
Magazine: Solicitations for Subscriptions
ca.1975-1980
Box 1: 15
Magazine: Statistics
1979
Box 1: 16
Mailing Lists
1972-1973, 1986-1988, undated
Box 7: 37
Mostly undated; A majority of these are Sociobiology Study Group Lists.
Massachusetts Department of Employment and Training
1992 Jan, 1994
Box 7: 38
Massachusetts Department of Revenue
1990 Jun-1992 Mar
Box 7: 39
Massachusetts Institute of Technology Map and Archive Pamphlet
1984, undated
Box 7: 40
Media Relase Forms and Letter of Agreement
2018
Box 7: 41
Meeting Minutes
1987 Mar-May, 1990 Sept-1991 Feb
Box 7: 42
Miscellaneous Bills and Invoices
1989 Aug 11-1992 Mar 12
Box 7: 43
Miscellaneous Notes
undated
Box 7: 44
Miscellaneous Reciepts
1990 Jan 2-1991 Dec 16
Box 7: 45
Money Orders
1988, undated
Box 7: 46
Nature article: Science for the People
1978 Aug
Box 4: 39
New England Telephone Bills
1990 Nov 14-1991 Sept 13
Box 7: 47
Newsclippings
1970-1972
Box 1: 17
Newsclippings
1970-1972
Box 1: 18
Newsletter: Boston
1974-1975
Box 1: 19
Newsletter: National
1976 Jan
Box 1: 20
Newsletter: National
1981 Feb
Box 1: 21
Newsletter: National
1981 Jun-Jul
Box 1: 22
Newsletter: National
1981 Aug-Sep
Box 1: 23
Newsletter: National
1981 Oct-Nov
Box 1: 24
Newsletter: National
1981 Dec-1982 Jan
Box 1: 25
Newsletter: National
1982 Feb-Mar
Box 1: 26
Newsletter: National
1982 Apr-May
Box 1: 27
Newsletter: National
1982 Jun/Jul
Box 1: 28
Newsletter: National
1982 Aug-Sep
Box 1: 29
Newsletter: National
1982 Oct-Nov
Box 1: 30
Newsletter: National
1982 Dec-1983 Jan
Box 1: 31
Newsletter: National
1982 Feb-Mar
Box 1: 32
Newsletter: National
1983 Aug-Sep
Box 1: 33
Newsletter: National
1983 Oct-Dec
Box 1: 34
Newsletter: National
1984 Spring
Box 1: 35
Newsletter: National
1984 Fall
Box 1: 36
Newsletter: National
1985 Spring
Box 1: 37
Newsletter: New York
ca.1975
Box 1: 38
Newsletter: Nicaragua
ca.1986 May/June, 1987 Jan/Feb, 1988 Jul/Aug
Box 7: 48
Newsletter: Nicaragua
1987
Box 1: 39
Newsletter: Nicaragua
1988 Jul/Aug, 1989 Jan/Feb
Box 7: 49
Newsletter: Nicaragua
1988
Box 1: 40
Newsletter: Nicaragua
1989
Box 1: 41
Newsletter: The Principal Investigator
1990
Box 1: 42
Newsletter: SESPA
ca.1969
Box 1: 43
Nicaragua Material Requests and Wishlists
1988 Sept-1989 Jan
Box 7: 50
Old Cambridge Bapist Church Rental Information
1990 Nov 30, 1991 Oct 28
Box 7: 51
Organizational Chart
undated
Box 5: 2
Organizational Structure: Discussion
ca.1970
Box 1: 44
Pitney Bowes Correspondence and Invoices
ca.1983 Dec 16-1989 Dec 16
Box 7: 52
Pitney Bowes Correspondence and Invoices
ca.1990 Jan 1-1992 Mar 16
Box 7: 52
Position Paper on the Four Questions
1975
Box 1: 45
Post-Bankruptcy Material Donation
ca.1991
Box 7: 54
Promotional Brochures
ca.1970-1980
Box 1: 46
Proposals and Trip Reports
1984-1986 Dec
Box 7: 55
Mostly contains email correspondence.
Proposals and Trip Reports
1986 Jan 6,1986 Jan 13
Audiocasette
Box 7: 56
Proposals and Trip Reports
1986 Dec-1988 Jul/Aug
Box 7: 57
Mostly contains email correspondence.
Publication Promotion
ca.1981
Box 5: 3
Revolution's Evolution: Radical Group 10 years later
1979 Jun
Box 4: 40
Rowley Printing
1989 Oct 11-1990 Dec 28
Box 7: 58
Information regarding lawsuit.
Science for Nicaragua Donation and Volunteer Materials
ca.1986 Jan 23-1989 Feb 24
Box 7: 59
Circa date inferred from time range of the general collection.
Science for Nicaragua Donation and Volunteer Materials
ca.1985
Box 7: 60
Circa date inferred from time range of the general collection.
Science for Nicaragua Materials
ca.1983-1988
Box 7: 61
Science for Nicaragua Materials
ca.1985
Box 7: 62
Circa date inferred from time range of the general collection.
Science for Nicaragua Meeting Minutes
1987-1989
Box 7: 63
Science for Nicaragua Program Overview
ca.1985
Box 7: 64
Circa date inferred from time range of the general collection.
Science for Nicaragua Updates
1990 Oct, 1992 Fall
Box 7: 65
Science Resource Center Balance Sheets
1990 Oct, 1992 Fall
Box 7: 66
Second Meeting with the University and Beginning of Press Conference
1986 January 8
Audiocassettes
Box 7: 67
Sojouner Bills
1991 Jan 28-Mar 29
Box 7: 68
Steering Committee
1973-1974
Box 1: 47
Steering Committee
1975
Box 1: 48
Steering Committee
1988-1989
Box 1: 49
Trip Reports
1987 Jan-1988 Jun
Box 7: 69
Twentieth Anniversary Benefit Reception
1989 Jun 8
Box 1: 50
Unity Caucus
1974-1975
Box 1: 51
Valentine Caucus
1975
Box 1: 52
Series 2. Publications
1959-2004
2.5 boxes (3 linear feet)
Science for the People magazine
1970 Aug-Dec
Box 1: 53
Science for the People magazine
1971 Feb-Jul
Box 1: 54
Science for the People magazine
1971 May, 1972 May
Box 7: 73
Science for the People magazine
1971 Sep-Nov
Box 1: 55
Science for the People magazine
1972 Jan-Mar
Box 1: 56
Science for the People magazine
1972 Jul-Nov
Box 1: 57
Science for the People magazine
1973 Jan-May
Box 1: 58
Science for the People magazine
1973 Jul-Nov
Box 1: 59
Science for the People magazine
1974 Jan-May
Box 1: 60
Science for the People magazine
1974 Jul-Nov
Box 2: 1
Science for the People magazine
1975 Jan-May
Box 2: 2
Science for the People magazine
1975 Jul-Nov
Box 2: 3
Science for the People magazine
1976 Jan-May
Box 2: 4
Science for the People magazine
1976 Jul-Dec
Box 2: 5
Science for the People magazine
1977 Jan-Jun
Box 2: 6
Science for the People magazine
1977 Jul-Dec
Box 2: 7
Science for the People magazine
1978 Jan-Jun
Box 2: 8
Science for the People magazine
1978 Jul-Dec
Box 2: 9
Science for the People magazine
1979 Jan-Jun
Box 2: 10
Science for the People magazine
1979 Jul-Dec
Box 2: 11
Science for the People magazine
1980 Jan-Jun
Box 2: 12
Science for the People magazine
1980 Jul-Dec
Box 2: 13
Science for the People magazine
1981 Jan-Jun
Box 2: 14
Science for the People magazine
1981 Jul-Dec
Box 2: 15
Science for the People magazine
1982 Jan-Jun
Box 2: 16
Science for the People magazine
1982 Jul-Dec
Box 2: 17
Science for the People magazine
1983 Jan-Jun
Box 2: 18
Science for the People magazine
1983 Jul-Dec
Box 2: 19
Science for the People magazine
1984 Jan-Jun
Box 2: 20
Science for the People magazine
1984 Jul-Dec
Box 2: 21
Science for the People magazine
1985 March
Box 2: 22
Science for the People magazine
1985 Jun
Box 2: 23
Science for the People magazine
1985 Jul-Dec
Box 2: 24
Science for the People magazine
1986 Jan-Jun
Box 2: 25
Science for the People magazine
1986 Jul-Dec
Box 2: 26
Science for the People magazine
1987 Jan-Jun
Box 2: 27
Science for the People magazine
1987 Jul-Dec
Box 3: 1
Science for the People magazine
1988 Jan-Apr
Box 3: 2
Science for the People magazine
1988 Jul-Dec
Box 3: 3
Science for the People magazine
1989-01/06
Box 3: 4
Science for the People magazine: Index
ca.1977
Box 3: 5
Science for the People magazine: Inside covers
1973-1980
Box 3: 6
Science for the People newspaper
1990 May
Box 7: 74
Earth Day Special Edition.
The AMRC Paper
1973
Box 3: 7
Beyond Earth Day
1990 May
Box 3: 8
Biology as Destiny: Scientific Fact or Social Bias
1984
Box 3: 9
Biology as a Social Weapon
1977
Box 3: 10
Censored
1971 Dec
Box 3: 11
China: Science Walks on Two Legs
1974
Box 3: 12
Feed, Need, Greed: Food Resources and Population
1974
Box 7: 70
Feed, Need, Greed: Food Resources and Population
1980
Box 3: 13
Feed, Need, Greed: Where Will it Lead?
1974 Dec
Box 3: 14
Hard Times: Employment, Unemployment, and Professionalism in the Science
ca.1973
Box 3: 15
Interrupt: Newsletter of Computer People for Peace, nos. 19, 20
1973
Box 3: 15a
I.Q., Scientific or Social Controversy
1976 Feb
Box 3: 16
Los Nuevos Conquistadores
1973 Jun
Box 3: 17
Nicaflash and Nicaline
1989 Feb 1-1989 Jul 17
Box 7: 71
Nicaragua Network News
1987 Nov/Dec
Box 7: 72
Nuclear Power Pamphlet
1976
Box 3: 18
Science Against the People
1972 Dec
Box 3: 19
Science and Society Series: The Energy Crisis
1973 Nov
Box 3: 20
Science and Society Series: Genetic Engineering
1973 Nov
Box 3: 21
Science and Society Series: Issues of Health Care
1973 Nov
Box 3: 22
Science and Society Series: The Politics of Ecology
ca.1974
Box 3: 23
Science and Society Series: Resources for Teachers
ca.1976
Box 3: 24
Science and Technology in Latin America
1972 Dec
Box 3: 25
Science Teaching torward an Alternative
1972 Apr
Box 3: 26
Scientists and the Military
ca.1981
Box 5: 4
Sociobiology: The New Synthesis
ca.1975
Box 3: 27
The Sociobiology Packet
1979 Jul
Box 3: 28
The 3 Mile Island Disaster
1979 Apr
Box 3: 29
Thistle: Special Science for the People issue
1990 Feb
Box 5: 5
Thistle
1989 Feb 9
Box 7: 75
Torwards a Science for the People
1972 Dec
Box 3: 30
Woman and Health Care Packet
1977-1980
Box 3: 31
Series 3. Subject Files
ca.1970-2004
3.5 boxes (3.25 linear feet)
American Association for the Advancement of Science Convention
1977-1979
Box 3: 32
Anarchy
1970-1971
Box 3: 33
Anti-War
1969-1972
Box 3: 34
Articles, Journals and Reports on Nicaragua
ca.1987-1988
Box 8: 1
Bajo Cielo, La Casa
1998
VHS
Box 8: 2
Been There: A Film About Change
1997
VHS
Box 8: 3
Benjamin Linder Peace Tour Materials
ca.1985
Box 8: 4
Biological Determinism Symposium
1975
Box 3: 36
Biology as a Social Weapon: Book Reviews and Press
1976-1979
Box 3: 37
Biology as a Social Weapon
1975
Box 8: 5
Black Panther Party
1971
Box 3: 35
Boston Racism
1974
Box 3: 38
Brazil's Economy
1972
Box 3: 39
Chile La Memoria Obstinada un Film de Patricio Guzmán
1997
VHS
Box 8: 6
China
1975
Box 3: 40
China: audiocassettes
ca.1970-1978
Box 6
Fifteen audiocassette tapes recorded in the early 1970s when Science for the People members
travelled to China to learn more about Chinese science. Peking University, Tsinghua University,
Futan University, Okinawa, May Seventh Cadre School. Photographs of a SftP trip to China and
other places abroad in 1978 are available online through Credo.
China: compact disc
ca.1980
Box 6
Colombia Horizontal
ca.1998
VHS
Box 8: 7
Colombua 5. Colombiao and Maria Toma Dos
1991,1993
VHS
Box 8: 8
De Paul University
1972
Box 5: 6
Deux Films d'Agnes Varda Les Glaneurs et La Glaneuse plus Deux Ans Aprés
2000,2002
DVD
Box 8: 9
Energy
1974-1978
Box 3: 41
Ephemera
ca.1970-1982
Box 3: 42
Farm Labor Organizing Committee
ca.1978-1980 Apr 22
Contains a slide.
Box 8: 10
Farm Labor Organizing Committee
ca. 1980 Jun 27-1982 Aug 19
Box 8: 11
Fate or Fiction Biological Theories of Human Behavior Pamphlets
undated
Box 8: 12
Fate or Fiction Slides
1984
Slides
Box 8: 13
Fate or Fiction Slides
1984
Slides
Box 8: 14
Fate or Fiction Slides
1984
Slides
Box 8: 15
Feed, Need, and Greed
1974-1977
Box 3: 43
Flyers
ca.1975-1987
Box 3: 44
Food, Nutrition, and Agriculture
1974-1976
Box 3: 45
Food and Nutrition Group
1975-1976
Box 3: 46
Food and Nutrition Group
1976-1978
Box 3: 47
Food and Nutrition Group
1977-1978
Box 8: 16
Fragmented Materials
ca.1985
Box 8: 17
Papers that are out of context and/or missing other papers that go along with them
Circa date inferred from time range of the general collection
Genetics and Social Policy
1973-1976
Box 3: 48
Genewatch
1985
Box 3: 49
Harris, Michael: SFTP NICA Slides
1986,1988
slides
Box 8: 18
How AMRC Helps the Army
ca.1973
Box 3: 50
Hospitals
ca.1975
Box 3: 51
Imperialism
1975
Box 3: 52
Internal Papers, Polemics, and Essays
1975
Box 8: 19
International Nutrition and Global Food Resources
1974-1976
Box 3: 53
IQ and Race
1970-1976
Box 3: 54
Jensenism
1975
Box 3: 55
Koblitz, Ann Talk Translations
1989 Jun 12
Box 8: 20
Liu, Katherine: Biology 101 Syllabi and Lecture Notes
1978-1981 Dec 11
Box 8: 21
Liu, Katherine: Portfolio
ca.1980 Jan 4-1980 May 18
Box 8: 22
Liu, Katherine: Portfolio
ca.1980 Feb-1982 Jan 20
Box 8: 23
This folder contains newspapers, which are acidic, so they are filed seperately from the rest of the portfolio.
Liu, Katherine: Portfolio
ca.1980 May 18-1980 Sept/Oct
Box 8: 24
Liu, Katherine: Portfolio
ca.1980 Nov 15-1982 Jan 6
Box 8: 25
Contains the Sept/Oct 1980 edition of Science for the People Magazine.
Magazine and Newspaper Articles
ca.1973-1994, 2007
Box 8: 26
Marine Science Unite: Esenada
1975-1978
Box 4: 1
Mathematics Action Group
1970-1977
Box 4: 2
May Magazine Articles
1975
Box 4: 3
Mexico Project
ca.1978 Aug 2-1970 Apr 4
Box 8: 27
Mexico Project
ca.1979 Apr 13-1980 Jan 15
Box 8: 28
Mexico Project
ca.1980 Jan 23-1980 May 26
Box 8: 28
Miscellaneous - advertisements, clippings, poems
ca.1970-1975
Box 4: 4
Miscellaneous - labor, occupational health
ca.1975
Box 5: 7
Miscellaneous Pamphlets
ca.1985
Box 8: 30
Circa date inferred from time range of the general collection.