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Of knowledge, technology and social change ...
SAASTA was pleased to learn that the SASA board had agreed on Knowledge, Technology and Social Change as the theme for the 2012 annual SASA congress. The congress was hosted by the Sociology department of the University of Cape Town (UCT). Through its collaboration with SASA, SAASTA sponsored one local and three international experts in the field of science, technology and society studies to serve as keynote speakers at the conference. Professor Harry Collins is a distinguished research professor of sociology and Director of the Centre for the Study of Knowledge, Expertise and Science at Cardiff University in the UK. Professor Collins delivered a presentation on the sociology of expertise during the opening session of the congress. During a plenary lecture, Professor Dorothy Roberts, Professor of Law, Sociology, and Civil Rights at the University of Pennsylvania, USA discussed her research on the perpetuation and entrenchment of race through new technologies and science. Her lecture highlighted the role of sociologists and scientists as agents who should ensure accountability and counter the outbreak of racial classification supported by mainstream science. Professor Martin Bauer, Professor of Social Psychology and Research Methodology at the London School of Economics and Political Science in the UK, delivered a plenary lecture on Science Culture Indicators and work being done to create internationally comparable indicators in the social studies of science, technology and society within and across different cultures. Professor Ahmet Bawa, Vice-Chancellor of the Durban University of Technology responded to Professor Bauer during this plenary session. Working group session During the course of the conference, SAASTA and SASA collaborated in the hosting of a working group session which focussed on the underdevelopment of science and technology studies in South Africa. The panel consisted of Professor Johann Mouton, Director of the Centre for Research on Evaluation, Science and Technology at Stellenbosch University and Dr Hester du Plessis, Senior Research Specialist within the Knowledge Use and Impact Unit at the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC). The session was facilitated by Professor David Cooper, Deputy Dean of Humanities at UCT. The session took the form of a vibrant discussion on the current state of science, technology and society studies in South Africa, current efforts to develop this field of research, the importance of this broad field of research, and suggestions for measures to support developments – particularly human capacity and interest – in this field of research. International keynote speakers and academics from various institutions contributed to the discussions and the international experts could provide a comparative overview of the situation in their respective institutions, or other countries that they have worked in, in relation to the South African scenario. Furthermore, various presentations were made by individuals during the Higher Education and Science Studies working group sessions that proved to be both interesting and insightful. Feedback from congress goers was very positive, with delegates commenting on the insight that they got from the keynote presentations. Feedback A number of young researchers indicated that they had been exposed to the field of science, technology and society studies for the first time in their academic careers, and some informed SAASTA representatives that this was a field of specialisation that they would consider for future research. SAASTA welcomed the feedback, as one of the primary aims of its collaboration with SASA has always been to increase interest in, and awareness of the field of science, technology and society studies, and to contribute to the gradual growth of a local expert base of young and established social researchers. David Cooper, chairperson of the Local Organising Committee of UCT's Sociology Department commented that the study of science and technology studies (STS) has been underdeveloped in Sociology departments in South Africa up to now. "The annual SASA Congress held at UCT was such a success, with excellent keynotes and numerous papers presented at parallel sessions of working groups, linked to the congress theme of Knowledge, Technologies and Social Change that this will surely in future years put STS on the map in Sociology departments - in their teaching and research!" he said. Critical Thinkers' Session To end the congress on a high note, SAASTA hosted a Critical Thinkers' Session aimed at optimising the availability of the local and international specialists, and to take their expertise to a broader community outside of the sociology sphere. The theme for this forum was Researching the interaction between science and society. Among the attendees were natural and physical scientists from various higher education institutions in the Western Cape, National Research Foundation (NRF) and SAASTA staff, science communications and journalism specialists, an educator and an artist. Professors David Cooper, Martin Bauer and Dorothy Roberts, as well as Dr Hester du Plessis and Mr Michael Gastrow from the HSRC, all delivered presentations during the Critical Thinkers' Session. A publication summarising some of the recent research outcomes from SAASTA-funded research projects was launched during this event. The week was filled with discussions during and in between conference and forum sessions, and offered ample opportunity for networking and investigating potential collaborations between the various individuals present at the events. It also provided considerable food for thought and highlighted a number of areas for further investigation and research. The opportunity to engage with local experts and distinguished international specialists in the field of science, technology and society studies was a privilege and a very enriching experience. By Michelle Joubert-Alagöz, Audience Analyst, SAASTA |
