Hayley
Birss
Introduction:
I am an early-career scholar, graphic designer, and grew up on the internet. I have a brain built for the creative synthesis of complex stories—whether academic or political.
I am a current PhD student in the Committee on the Conceptual and Historical Studies of Science (CHSS) at the University of Chicago, researching the relationship between green technologies and settler-colonialism. My academic work seeks to construct a genealogy of 'green' technologies.
Education
Doctoral Student
2031
Committee on the Conceptual & Historical Studies of Science
University of Chicago
Certificate: Committee on Environment, Geography, & Urbanization
Master's
of Arts
2023
Institute for the History & Philosophy of Science & Technology
University of Toronto
Bachelor of
Arts & Science
2019
Molecular Biology & Sociology
Quest University Canada
Academic Writing
Peer-reviewed & Book Reviews
"Tamar Novick, Milk and Honey: Technologies of Plenty in the Making of a Holy Land, Cambridge, Massachusetts: The MIT Press, 2023."
2025, History and Philosophy of the Life Sciences 47 (1): 1–3. doi.org/10.1007/s40656-025-00662-w.
Tamar Novick’s Milk and Honey analyzes settler-colonial Palestine (1880–1960), showing how Jewish settlers used agricultural technologies, animal-human intimacy, and technoscience to enact biblical abundance. The work traces the entanglement of science, religion, and colonial power, revealing how technopolitics, race, and labor shaped landscapes, bodies, and settler-colonial governance.
"Mapping the Dynamics of the Vertical Farm: A Biopolitical Epistemology of Valuation."
2024, Social Epistemology, 39(3), 298–308. https://doi.org/10.1080/02691728.2024.2342854
Infarm’s vertical farming partnership with Sobeys illustrates how venture capital shapes “green” technologies. Using actor-network theory, one can trace how expertise is negotiated within black-boxed farms, revealing obligatory points of passage. Climate change mitigation practices are thus structured by venture capital’s biopolitical epistemology, framing life, biology, and the environment through political economy.
University Service
PRECEPTOR
COMMITTEE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, GEOGRAPHY, & URBANIZATION
Mentored senior undergraduates at the University of Chicago pursuing a BA thesis with CEGU. Guided grant and thesis applications, provided feedback, hosted workshops, organized the symposium, coordinated faculty evaluations, and attended colloquia.
WORKSHOP COORDINATOR
Coordinated History and Philosophy of Science / History of Human Sciences workshops for the graduate community within the University of Chicago's Social Science Division. Scheduled discussants, managed event logistics, promoted events, set up catering/tech, and facilitated sessions. Ensured smooth presentations, discussions, and Q&A, while liaising with faculty and administrators to support speakers and participants.
UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO
EVENTS COORDINATOR
Organized and coordinated events for the Northrop Frye Centre at the University of Toronto, Victoria College, including lectures, symposia, and special programs. Managed logistics such as budgeting, room bookings, catering, and AV support. Designed and distributed promotional and registration materials, ensuring the successful execution of academic and community events.
NORTHROP FRYE CENTRE, VICTORIA COLLEGE
PROGRAM COORDINATOR
SCHOLARS-IN-RESIDENCE PROGRAM, VICTORIA COLLEGE
Managed the Scholars-in-Residence Program, a 4-week undergraduate humanities and social sciences research fellowship at the University of Toronto, Victoria College. Prepared recruitment materials, administered admissions, and coordinated residency logistics for 150+ participants across three campuses. Organized research colloquia and social events, facilitating academic engagement and community across 10+ colleges.
