Democratising Science and Technology (968N1)

15 credits, Level 7 (Masters)

Autumn teaching

This module is an introduction to social studies of science and technology.

You’ll explore the idea that techno-scientific developments, such as gene editing and climate geoengineering, are political issues. These issues are not only controversial among scientists and engineers, but also in wider public debates. Participants in these debates include:

• civil society organisations
• social movements.

They may oppose or promote specific technologies and ways of knowing.

You’ll also explore how socioeconomic interests and political forces attempt to influence the making of science and teachnology in (R&D) laboratories and test sites. This includes:

• different user groups
• the influence of public protests and government regulations
• the norms and routines of scientists and engineers.

Making techno-scientific facts and artefacts combines various socio-political forces and biophysical processes.

You’ll also cover debates on how sciences and technologies intervene in wider social and material reality. Scientists, Social Scientists and engineers provide policy advice, and play a role in running corporations and work with civil society organisations. Through this, their facts and artefacts combine with cultural values and market forces. This shapes how people relate to each other and to the natural world. Remaking these relations is important to realise sustainable and emancipated futures. 

Each lecture will introduce an influential theory or set of concepts developed in Science, Technology and Society studies. Among others, theories and concepts covered include:

• social construction of scientific knowledge and of technology
• actor-network theory
• sciences as practices
• co-production of science and society
• risk, uncertainty and ambiguity.

You’ll then discuss these theories and concepts in seminars. You’ll also apply them in empirical analysis of science and technologies, from marine biology to electric cars and wind power.

Contact hours and workload

This module is approximately 150 hours of work. This breaks down into about 33 hours of contact time and about 117 hours of independent study. The University may make minor variations to the contact hours for operational reasons, including timetabling requirements.

We regularly review our modules to incorporate student feedback, staff expertise, as well as the latest research and teaching methodology. We’re planning to run these modules in the academic year 2026/27. However, there may be changes to these modules in response to feedback, staff availability, student demand or updates to our curriculum.

We’ll make sure to let you know of any material changes to modules at the earliest opportunity.