Science, technology and society

Summary

Science, Technology, and Society (STS) is an interdisciplinary field that explores the mutual influences between society, politics, culture, and scientific advancements. Originating from various disciplines in the 1960s and 1970s, STS examines the social context of technology and medicine, challenges technological determinism, and integrates history and philosophy of science. It has evolved to include professional skills for policy-making and has seen a 'turn to technology' focusing on the social construction of technology. STS also addresses ecological and material interactions, with professional associations and journals fostering global scholarly communication.

Takeaways

• 🔬 Science, Technology, and Society (STS) is an interdisciplinary field that examines the interactions between society, politics, culture, and scientific/technological advancements.
• 🌐 STS emerged from various disciplines in the 1960s and 1970s, with a focus on understanding how society influences and is influenced by scientific research and technological innovation.
• 🏛️ Key disciplinary components of STS include history of technology, history and philosophy of science, and science and technology policy, each developing independently before converging.
• 📚 The history of technology within STS critiques technological determinism and explores the social and historical contexts of technological development.
• 🌟 Thomas Kuhn's 'The Structure of Scientific Revolutions' was influential in shaping the history and philosophy of science, emphasizing paradigm shifts in scientific thought.
• 🎓 The rise of STS programs in universities was partly driven by student and faculty social movements seeking to address relevant topics overlooked by traditional curricula.
• 💪 STS scholars often adopt an activist stance, working towards social change, particularly in areas such as gender inclusion in STEM fields.
• 🌱 The 'turn to technology' in the 1980s marked a significant shift in STS, focusing on the social construction of technology and the social shaping of technological systems.
• 🌿 More recent developments in STS have included a 'turn to ecology,' examining the co-production of socio-technical and natural elements, especially in fields like biomedicine.
• 🏢 Professional associations like the Society for Social Studies of Science and the European Association for the Study of Science and Technology support STS scholars and practitioners.
• 📘 Notable journals in STS, such as 'Social Studies of Science' and 'Science, Technology, and Human Values,' facilitate学术交流 and disseminate research findings within the field.

Q & A

What is the primary focus of Science, Technology, and Society (STS) studies?

STS studies focus on how social, political, and cultural values affect scientific research and technological innovation, and how these, in turn, affect society, politics, and culture.

From which decade did the key disciplinary components of STS begin to take shape?

The key disciplinary components of STS began to take shape independently starting in the 1960s.

Which institution served as a model for STS programs, and when was it founded?

The STS program at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, founded by Elting E. Morrison, served as a model for STS programs.

What is the significance of the publication 'The Structure of Scientific Revolutions' by Thomas Kuhn?

The publication attributed changes in scientific theories to changes in underlying intellectual paradigms and was foundational in the development of programs that brought historians of science and philosophers together.

How did student and faculty social movements in the 1960s contribute to the rise of STS?

Student and faculty social movements in the 1960s helped to launch new interdisciplinary fields, including STS, which addressed relevant topics that traditional curricula ignored.

What is the difference between scholars in STS programs and those in science studies, history of technology, or history and philosophy of science?

Scholars in STS programs were more likely to see themselves as activists working for change, rather than as dispassionate researchers.

What was the 'turn to technology' in STS, and what were its key publications?

The 'turn to technology' in STS refers to the mid-1980s shift in focus towards technology studies, with key publications including 'The Social Shaping of Technology' and 'The Social Construction of Technological Systems'.

What is the social construction of technology, and how does it relate to STS?

The social construction of technology is the intellectual foundation of STS that posits technological development is influenced by society and culture, rather than being solely determined by scientific and engineering considerations.

What is the role of professional associations in the field of STS?

Professional associations in STS, such as the Society for Social Studies of Science, provide scholarly communication facilities, including journals and annual meetings, for the exchange of ideas and research among scholars, industry professionals, and policymakers.

How has the 'turn to ecology, nature, and materiality' influenced recent STS research?

The 'turn to ecology, nature, and materiality' has led to STS research that emphasizes the co-production of socio-technical and natural materials, particularly evident in analyses of biomedical and ecological interventions.

What are some notable peer-reviewed journals in the field of STS?

Notable peer-reviewed journals in STS include 'Social Studies of Science', 'Science, Technology, and Human Values', 'Science and Technology Studies', 'Research Policy', 'Science, Technology, and Society', 'Science as Culture', 'Technology and Culture', and 'Science and Public Policy'.