Alexandra Straub

Alexandra was the WHC's Research Coordinator and Assistant Director from 2020-2025. She is now the Associate Director of the Institute for Spatial History Innovation. 

Alexandra Straub is a historian interested in the intersection of environment, technology, culture and science. Her current research explores the history of chemical and mechanical water softening and water conditioning. Her focus lies not only in the tools and processes created to manipulate water but also people’s attitudes towards and definitions of water. She received her PhD in history from Temple University in 2020. 

Prior to joining the World History Center, Alexandra was the Cain Dissertation Fellow at the Science History Institute in Philadelphia. Her scholarship has also been supported by the Hagley Museum and Library and the Center for the Humanities at Temple.