WTMC Summer School with Professor Steven Yearley, University of Edinburgh, 10-14 September 2007, Soeterbeek
Every year, WTMC organizes a week-long summer school, focused around the work of an internationally-renowned, senior scholar in the STS community. This year, we are very pleased to announce that Steve Yearley will be our guest teacher. Steve is Professor of Sociology of Scientific Knowledge at the University of Edinburgh (http://www.sps.ed.ac.uk/staff/yearley.htm) and Director of the ESRC Genomics Forum (http://www.genomicsforum.ac.uk).
Steve was among the first people to work out the connection between the sociology of scientific knowledge (SSK) and environmental sociology. He has drawn attention to the green ambivalence about science and technology: environmental activists may blame science for many current environmental problems but at the same time wish to use science to support their arguments about the need for action. He has analysed the global-ness of ‘global environmental problems’ and he has also been actively involved in setting up and researching public engagement in environmental modeling. Together with Harry Collins, Steve has written one of the most powerful critiques of actor-network theory, a critique which remains pertinent. This is the so-called ‘epistemological chicken’ debate to be found in Science as Practice and Culture, edited by Andrew Pickering (1992, University of Chicago Press). While the ‘environment’ has been a common object in much of Steve’s work, a concern with manifold forms of engagement and their epistemological needs and claims is what really connects his research. Prior to moving to Edinburgh in 2005, Steve has held positions at Oxford, Oxford Brookes, Queen’s Belfast, Ulster (Belfast) and York, and he is a former member of EASST Council (www.easst.net).
During the 2007 WTMC Summer School, many aspects of Steve Yearley’s work will be covered. In addition to lectures by Steve, other senior STS scholars will present their own ideas and discuss with Steve. One confirmed speaker is Rob Evans from Cardiff University. The Summer School will include sessions on close reading of key texts, discourse analysis, reflections on attempts to engage the public and policy makers in scientific developments. All participants are expected to contribute to a poster session in which they can present their own projects and reflect on their attempts to engage multiple audiences.
Participants are expected to buy or borrow a copy of Yearley’s book, Making Sense of Science (2005, Sage). The programme will be sent to registered participants about a month prior to the start of the workshop. Further information can be obtained from Marjatta Kemppainen (u.m.kemppainen@utwente.nl) or Sally Wyatt (sally.wyatt@vks.knaw.nl).
To reserve your place, please complete this online registration form by 15 June 2007
Costs for WTMC members:
-meals 10 EUR /day
Costs for PRIME-, EASST members and everyone else:
-fee EUR 555 (PRIME & EASST members), EUR 645 for everyone else.
-accommodation EUR 45 (incl. breakfast)/night