After more than a decade Alexandre Métraux is leaving his post as a co-editor of Science in Context and will remain as a member of the editorial board.
Over the years in which Alexandre Métraux served as a co-editor of the journal, the history of science as a discipline witnessed a gradual methodological change that rendered the association of science and context a commonplace. However, sustaining the subtle balance between studying science in its context and studying science and its context remained a difficult task, from which Alexandre Métraux never shied away. His thorough assessments of each contribution revealed not only his vast knowledge, intellectual generosity, open-mindedness, and deep insights, but an uncompromising adherence to the idea that when science and context are studied together, the mutual links between the two should come to the fore. Moreover, he constantly reminded us that scientific endeavour was not restricted to a small number of mainstream traditions but was to be found, and to be studied, in all periods and regions of the world, and in a vast range of subjects of human interest.
As an editor, Alexandre Métraux was largely responsible for establishing the ongoing routine of bringing to print as flawless as possible a journal. He attended to this tedious and sometimes complex task with a high sense of responsibility, efficiency, and endless patience accompanied by a sense of humor.
Every page of Science in Context attests to Alexandre Métraux's contribution to the journal over the years. We would like to thank him for his devotion to the journal and for the personal and intellectual pleasure of working with him.
