Rebecca Herzig

Rebecca Herzig is an American historian and Professor of Women's and Gender Studies at Bates College. She is known for her scholarship on the history of science, technology, and medicine, with a particular focus on the social, cultural, and political dimensions of race, gender, sexuality, and disability.

Herzig's research explores topics such as the history of eugenics, hair, skin color, and hormones, often examining how scientific ideas have been used to justify social inequalities. She is the author of several books, including Plucked: A History of Hair Removal (New York University Press, 2015), which analyzes the historical and cultural significance of hair removal practices in the United States and beyond. She is also the author of Suffering for Science: Reason and Sacrifice in Modern America (Rutgers University Press, 2005), and co-editor of The Gender and Science Reader (Routledge, 2012).

Her work has been recognized with numerous awards and fellowships, and she frequently contributes to public discussions on issues related to science, identity, and social justice. Herzig's scholarship is characterized by its interdisciplinary approach, combining historical analysis with insights from feminist theory, critical race theory, and disability studies.