Ashoka University Professor Wins 2024 Pfizer Award for Book 'Brown Skins, White Coats: Race Science in India'

The History of Science Society (HSS) gives the Pfizer award to an acclaimed book on the history of science. 

Ashoka University's professor Projit Bihari Mukharji, Head of the History Department at the university has been honoured with 2024 Pfizer Award for his book “Brown Skins, White Coats: Race Science in India, 1920–66”. The book highlights critical insights into how scientific procedures were implicated with racial principles, reshaping our perspicuity of race science within a colonial context.

Sharing his happiness, Mukharji said "I am delighted beyond words to receive the Pfizer Award, as it marks the first time in 66 years that the prize has gone to a book on India. This recognition not only honours my work but also acknowledges the importance of examining such overlooked histories of medical knowledge and practice. I am thrilled that my work has significantly contributed to a broader understanding of global medical history.”

Meanwhile, Ashoka University's VC Somak Raychaudhuri, congratulated Mukharji saying “His work not only advances the field of history but also sheds light on the deeply interwoven legacies of colonialism and medicine, providing essential perspectives on the subject. This award is a testament to his dedication to scholarship and his ability to engage with complex historical questions in a truly impactful way.”

The book further explores the convergence of colonialism, scientific methods, and the development of healthcare systems in South Asia. Mukharji further highlights how India appropriated and repurposed race science to its own ends. The award was given by the History of Science Society which gives the Pfizer award to an acclaimed book on the history of science. Published by the University of Chicago Press, Professor Mukharji's Brown Skins, White Coats has been reviewed by leading experts. 

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