# Mar Hicks

> American historian of technology

**Wikidata**: [Q48700598](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q48700598)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mar_Hicks)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/mar-hicks

Here’s the structured biographical entry for Mar Hicks based on the provided source material:

---

## Summary
Mar Hicks is a non-binary American historian of technology specializing in the intersections of gender, labor, and computing. They are known for their research on the history of informatics and computer science, as well as their award-winning scholarship. Hicks currently serves as an associate professor at the University of Virginia.

## Biography
- Nationality: United States  
- Education:  
  - Bachelor of Arts in History (Harvard University, 2000)  
  - Master of Arts in History (Duke University, 2003)  
  - Doctor of Philosophy in History, Gender Studies, and Technology (Duke University, 2009)  
- Known for: Research on the history of technology, gender, and labor in computing  
- Employer(s):  
  - University of Virginia (current, since 2023)  
  - Illinois Institute of Technology (2011–2023)  
  - Duke University (2010–2011)  
  - University of Wisconsin–Madison (2017–2018)  
- Field(s): History of technology, history of science, informatics, computer science  

## Contributions
Mar Hicks has made significant contributions to the history of technology, particularly through their work on gender and labor in computing. Their research examines how marginalized groups, especially women, have shaped and been excluded from technological development. Hicks authored *Programmed Inequality: How Britain Discarded Women Technologists and Lost Its Edge in Computing* (2017), which explores the systemic erasure of women from Britain's computing industry and its consequences. The book won the Herbert Baxter Adams Prize in 2019. Hicks has also participated in major academic forums, such as the 27th International Congress of History of Science and Technology, and maintains an active public scholarship presence through social media (@histoftech).

## FAQs
### Q: What is Mar Hicks's primary area of research?  
A: Hicks focuses on the history of technology, particularly the roles of gender and labor in computing. Their work highlights how systemic biases have shaped technological development.  

### Q: Where does Mar Hicks currently teach?  
A: As of 2023, Hicks is an associate professor at the University of Virginia. Previously, they taught at the Illinois Institute of Technology.  

### Q: What awards has Mar Hicks received?  
A: Hicks won the Herbert Baxter Adams Prize in 2019 for their book *Programmed Inequality*, which examines the decline of Britain's computing industry due to gendered labor practices.  

## Why They Matter
Mar Hicks's work has reshaped understanding of how gender and labor intersect with technology, revealing systemic biases in computing history. Their research demonstrates how excluding women from technical roles harmed industries like Britain's computing sector. Hicks's public scholarship, including their active social media presence, bridges academic and public discourse, making historical insights accessible to broader audiences. Without their work, critical narratives about technology's social dimensions might remain overlooked.  

## Notable For
- Winning the Herbert Baxter Adams Prize (2019) for *Programmed Inequality*.  
- Pioneering research on gender and labor in the history of computing.  
- Active public engagement as @histoftech on Twitter, Mastodon, and Bluesky.  
- Teaching roles at prominent institutions like Duke University and the University of Virginia.  

## Body
### Education  
- Attended Harvard University (BA in History, 2000) and Duke University (MA in History, 2003; PhD in History/Gender Studies/Technology, 2009).  

### Career  
- Held positions at Harvard University (2001–2002), North Carolina State University (2005–2011), Duke University (2010–2011), and the University of Wisconsin–Madison (2017–2018).  
- Joined the University of Virginia as an associate professor in 2023.  

### Research Focus  
- Examines the historical exclusion of women from computing and its societal impacts.  
- Author of *Programmed Inequality* (2017), a landmark study on Britain's computing industry.  

### Public Engagement  
- Active on social media (@histoftech) with over 36,000 followers (as of 2023).  
- Advocates for inclusive narratives in technology history.  

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--- 

This entry strictly uses facts from the provided source material. Let me know if you'd like any refinements!

## References

1. Catalog of the German National Library
2. [Source](https://www.iit.edu/directory/people/mar-hicks)
3. [Source](https://www.linkedin.com/in/mar-hicks-3487a539/)
4. Czech National Authority Database
5. [ORCID Public Data File 2023](https://pub.orcid.org/v3.0/0000-0001-5480-5363/employment/16380529)
6. [Source](https://www.historians.org/awards-and-grants/past-recipients/herbert-baxter-adams-prize-recipients)
7. [Source](http://d-nb.info/gnd/1138928046)
8. Virtual International Authority File
9. [Source](https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5480-5363)
10. BnF authorities
11. [Mar Hicks | Open Library](https://openlibrary.org/authors/OL7615490A/Mar_Hicks)
12. [Source](https://marhicks.com/profile.html)
13. [Source](https://innovators.eventsair.com/QuickEventWebsitePortal/ichst2025/program/Agenda/AgendaItemDetail?id=5b2be6da-e5bb-4e3e-9028-d8ca6e182c50)
14. [Source](https://twitter.com/histoftech)