European Association for the Study of Science and Technology

European Association for the Study of Science and Technology. The European Association for the Study of Science and Technology (EASST) is a non-profit organization that aims to promote interdisciplinary research in the fields of science and technology studies (STS), sociology of science, and philosophy of science. EASST is affiliated with the International Sociological Association and the Society for Social Studies of Science (4S), and has collaborated with other organizations such as the European Sociological Association and the American Sociological Association. EASST members have also been involved with the European Research Council and the National Science Foundation.

● Introduction

The European Association for the Study of Science and Technology is a prominent organization in the field of science and technology studies (STS), which encompasses a broad range of disciplines including sociology, anthropology, history of science, and philosophy of science. EASST has been influenced by the work of notable scholars such as Bruno Latour, Michel Callon, and John Law, who have made significant contributions to the development of actor-network theory and science studies. The organization has also been shaped by the ideas of Thomas Kuhn, Karl Popper, and Imre Lakatos, who have written extensively on the philosophy of science and the sociology of scientific knowledge. Additionally, EASST has drawn on the work of Feminist theorists such as Donna Haraway and Sandra Harding, who have critiqued the dominant epistemologies and methodologies in science and technology.

● History

The European Association for the Study of Science and Technology was founded in 1981 by a group of scholars from Europe and North America, including University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The organization's early history was marked by a series of conferences and workshops, including the First EASST Conference held in 1982 at the University of York, which brought together scholars from sociology, anthropology, and history of science to discuss the emerging field of science and technology studies. EASST has since become a major hub for interdisciplinary research and collaboration among scholars from Europe, North America, and other parts of the world, including Australia, China, and India. The organization has also been influenced by the work of science studies scholars from Latin America, such as Oscar Varsavsky and Hebe Vessuri.

● Organization

The European Association for the Study of Science and Technology is governed by a Council composed of representatives from European universities and research institutions, including the University of Manchester, University of Amsterdam, and Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS). The organization has a Secretariat based in Europe, which is responsible for the day-to-day management of EASST's activities, including the organization of conferences and workshops, such as the EASST Conference and the STS Conference. EASST also has a number of Special Interest Groups (SIGs) focused on specific topics, such as biotechnology, nanotechnology, and sustainability, which have been influenced by the work of scholars such as Paul Rabinow and Sheila Jasanoff. These SIGs provide a platform for members to share their research and collaborate on projects, and have been supported by organizations such as the Wellcome Trust and the European Commission.

● Activities

The European Association for the Study of Science and Technology engages in a range of activities, including the organization of conferences, workshops, and seminars, such as the EASST/4S Conference and the STS Summer School. EASST also publishes a newsletter and a journal, Science & Technology Studies, which features articles and reviews on the latest research in science and technology studies. The organization has also established a number of awards and prizes to recognize outstanding contributions to the field, including the EASST Prize and the STS Award. EASST members have also been involved in policy-making and public engagement activities, working with organizations such as the European Parliament and the World Health Organization to inform science policy and technology assessment.

● Membership

The European Association for the Study of Science and Technology has a diverse membership base, comprising scholars from universities and research institutions across Europe and beyond, including University of California, Berkeley, Harvard University, and Australian National University. Members come from a range of disciplines, including sociology, anthropology, history of science, and philosophy of science, and are involved in research on topics such as biotechnology, nanotechnology, and sustainability. EASST also has a number of student members and early career researchers, who are supported through mentoring programs and career development opportunities, such as the EASST Summer School and the STS Career Development Workshop. Members have also been involved with organizations such as the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the International Council for Science.

● Conferences_and_Publications

The European Association for the Study of Science and Technology organizes a range of conferences and publications, including the EASST Conference, which is held biennially in Europe and features keynote speakers, paper presentations, and workshops. EASST also publishes a journal, Science & Technology Studies, which is a leading international journal in the field of science and technology studies. The organization has also established a number of book series and special issues on topics such as biotechnology, nanotechnology, and sustainability, which have been published by Routledge, Palgrave Macmillan, and MIT Press. EASST members have also been involved in the publication of handbooks and encyclopedias on science and technology studies, such as the Handbook of Science and Technology Studies and the Encyclopedia of Science, Technology, and Society.

● Research_and_Impact

The European Association for the Study of Science and Technology has had a significant impact on the development of science and technology studies as a field, and has influenced research and policy-making in areas such as biotechnology, nanotechnology, and sustainability. EASST members have made major contributions to the development of actor-network theory and science studies, and have worked with organizations such as the European Commission and the National Science Foundation to inform science policy and technology assessment. The organization has also been involved in public engagement activities, working with organizations such as the European Parliament and the World Health Organization to promote public understanding of science and technology. EASST has also collaborated with other organizations, such as the Society for Social Studies of Science (4S) and the International Sociological Association, to advance the field of science and technology studies and promote interdisciplinary research and collaboration.