Robert P. Crease

Robert P. Crease, born on October 22, 1953, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is an American philosopher and historian of science. He is recognized for his contributions to performance theory and his historical research, particularly focusing on Brookhaven National Laboratory. Crease currently serves as the chairman of the Department of Philosophy at Stony Brook University. His academic career includes co-editing the journal *Physics in Perspective* and writing a monthly column titled "Critical Point" for *Physics World*. In philosophy, his interests encompass performance theory, expertise, and trust. In the history of science, he has focused on the history of Brookhaven National Laboratory, co-founding the Laboratory History conferences. He was elected a Fellow of the American Physical Society and the Institute of Physics. Crease has authored, co-authored, translated, or edited over a dozen books, and his articles have been published in prominent outlets such as *The Atlantic*, *The New York Times*, and *The Wall Street Journal*. His work on the history of science delves into the complexities of Brookhaven National Laboratory, examining its scientific ambitions, societal tensions, and management of science. His publications in this area include "Making Physics: A Biography of Brookhaven National Laboratory." In performance theory, Crease views performance not just as a skill application but as a "poiesis," a bringing forth of a phenomenon. He applies this concept to scientific experiments, suggesting they share characteristics with performing arts. His relevant publications in this field include "The Play of Nature: Experimentation as Performance."