QuantumDelta.nl Announces Research Colloquium Examining Cold War Influence on Quantum Field
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QuantumDelta.nl, in partnership with the Centre for Quantum and Society, will host a research colloquium on April 8, 2026, examining the influence of Cold War anxieties on the development of quantum technologies. The colloquium will feature a lecture by Stony Brook University assistant professor of history, Susannah Glickman, who argues that crises within the Cold War US state directly contributed to both the field of quantum technologies and a reshaping of American scientific institutions. Glickman’s presentation, titled “When History is too Important to be Left to Historians: The Death of the Cold War State and the Birth of Quantum Technologies,” explores how physicists like John Wheeler grappled with a sense of rupture and sought ways to stabilize and predict the future. “Imagined quantum technologies are a solution to these crises and an articulation of the responses to them,” Glickman explains, suggesting a deep connection between historical geopolitical pressures and present-day technological pursuits.
Cold War Crises & the Genesis of Quantum Technologies The emergence of quantum technologies was not a purely scientific progression, but was deeply intertwined with the geopolitical anxieties of the Cold War era, a connection explored in an upcoming lecture by Dr. Susannah Glickman. Glickman’s research centers on the work of physicist John Wheeler, framing it within the context of a dissolving Cold War state and the subsequent need to stabilize future predictions. Physicists like Wheeler began to explore history as a means of understanding and potentially controlling the future, leading to an interest in “laws of techno-economic development.” This period witnessed a profound sense of rupture among scientists and elites, coinciding with the ascendance of high technology and the formation of new power networks. The lecture posits that reimagined technologies were not simply innovations, but were perceived as solutions to these systemic crises. Glickman argues that imagined quantum technologies succeeded in attracting long-term funding because they aligned with a newly crafted ideology, a “progressivist-developmental ideology” exemplified by concepts like Moore’s Law. Her current book project examines the historical infrastructures enabling semiconductors and quantum technologies, paying particular attention to how narratives translate into policy and, reciprocally, how material practices reinforce ideology. Her dissertation from Columbia University, “Histories, Tech, and a New Central Planning,” concerned how the category of ‘tech’ necessitates speculative institutions and ideologies. Wheeler’s Biography & Reimagining US Scientific Institutions These crises, experienced as a “profound rupture” by physicists, fostered a new interest in history and a desire to establish methods for anticipating future trends, ultimately leading to ideologies centered around technological progress, such as Moore’s Law. This reframing of technology as historically significant facilitated the securing of long-term funding, as proposed quantum technologies aligned with the newly crafted ideology. Her research, drawing on both archival and oral history methods, highlights how these material practices then reinforce the underlying ideologies, creating a self-perpetuating cycle. When History is too Important to be Left to Historians: The Death of the Cold War State and the Birth of Quantum Technologies. Quantum Delta NL: Societal Impact & Governance of Quantum Tech Quantum Delta NL is fostering a multidisciplinary approach to the development of quantum technologies, extending beyond purely technical advancements to address broader societal implications. The organization’s Centre for Quantum and Society functions as a knowledge and co-creation center, explicitly prioritizing positive impact as part of Action Line 4 of the Quantum Delta NL program. This commitment is evidenced by initiatives like the monthly Research Colloquium Series, designed to build and broaden the community engaged in research on non-technical questions related to quantum technologies, including their development, applications, and implications. On April 8, 2026, the colloquium will feature Dr. Susannah Glickman. The Centre also provides practical support to businesses, assisting startups and established corporations in evaluating the societal impact of quantum technologies within their respective sectors. This includes developing tools for impact assessment and establishing governance approaches, a crucial step given Glickman’s observation that these technologies historically require the production of specific narratives and ideologies to gain traction. Joris van Hoboken at the University of Amsterdam serves as a key contact for those interested in engaging with the Centre’s work and future events. Source: https://quantumdelta.nl/news/research-colloquium-series-the-death-of-the-cold-war-state-and-the-birth-of-quantum-technologies Tags: Quantum News There is so much happening right now in the field of technology, whether AI or the march of robots. Adrian is an expert on how technology can be transformative, especially frontier technologies. But Quantum occupies a special space. Quite literally a special space. A Hilbert space infact, haha! Here I try to provide some of the news that is considered breaking news in the Quantum Computing and Quantum tech space. Latest Posts by Quantum News: Rigetti Computing Reports 2025 Financial Results and Technical Progress March 7, 2026 Xanadu Showcases Technical Roadmap and Full-Stack Platform at Analyst Day March 7, 2026 QuSecure Wins $3.9M Contract to Enhance U.S.
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