2019-2020 Hunter Scholar Dr. Sloan Despeaux, and
Dean of Library Services Dr. Farzaneh Razzaghi,
Sloan Despeaux, associate professor of mathematics in the College of Arts and Sciences, was named the 2019-2020 Hunter Scholar at the Faculty Scholarship Celebration on Thursday, February 21. Her research project entitled “The Educational Times Database: Exploring the Circulation of Mathematical Knowledge through Questions and Answers” will involve creating a online database of 18,000 mathematics questions published in The Educational Times, the unofficial journal of the College of Preceptors, one of the leaders in teacher and student certifications in Victorian Britain. The journal was published from 1847 to 1923. Despeaux will continue the work of Dr. Jim Tattersall of Providence College, who cataloged the contents of The Educational Times in spreadsheets. She hopes that “the searchable, online database will become an important tool in the current international efforts to explore the history of mathematics through networks of communication in its journals.”
The purpose of the Hunter Scholar Award is to promote and support faculty research that fully and successfully integrates Hunter Library’s valuable resources and services. The winner of the award receives course release time, a graduate assistant, $400 in support funds, and a private study room in Hunter Library. This award is jointly provided by Hunter Library, the Graduate School and Research, and the Office of the Provost.
