Department of Science and Technology Studies

Science, technology and innovation shape life in modern societies in countless ways. Some of these are perceived as positive, others are deeply controversial. In turn, policy, corporations, the media and other societal actors influence how knowledge and technologies are produced. Science and technology studies analyzes these interactions, and aims to foster critical and reflexive debates on the relations of science, technology and society.

 

In relation to the important debate on abuse of power and sexual harassment within parts of the STS community, our position as the leadership team of the STS department at the University of Vienna is that abusive behaviours and harassment in all forms have no place in academic work and study environments. A safe environment is of vital importance for the social fabric and development of our field and of all individuals that belong to it in various roles. We stand in solidarity with all who have suffered such abuses and with all who work to create and sustain safe environments for scholarship. 


We believe that these debates demand institutional action and reflexivity. For our part, we see our responsibility in increasing our efforts to develop practices in our own institution that build and sustain a good and safe academic environment. We acknowledge that it is important that this happens in ways that are inclusive, respectful, and mindful of the power dynamics that structure academic settings. We will also consider what our responsibilities are within the wider STS community, and hope that our reflections contribute to a collective learning process within STS.

The Leadership Team - Ulrike Felt, Maximilian Fochler, Sarah Davies

 News & Events

17.07.2018
 

ÖNB Jubiläumsfonds grant awarded to Maximilian Fochler

It is a great pleasure to announce that Max Fochler was awarded a two year research grant by the ÖNB Jubiläumsfonds (Austrian National Bank).

17.07.2018
 

ÖAW DOC fellowship awarded to Paul Trauttmansdorff

We are pleased to announce that our colleague Paul Trauttmansdorff-Weinsberg achieved to secure the highly competitive ÖAW DOC fellowship awarded by...

17.07.2018
 

Elise Richter fellowship awarded to Katja Mayer

The Department of Science and Technology Studies congratulates alumna and colleague Dr. Katja Mayer on her recently awarded Elise Richter fellowship...

13.03.2018
 

Alexander Degelsegger-Márquez receives the honorary degree "promotio sub auspiciis" from Austrian president Alexander Van der Bellen.

08.02.2018
 

Adipositas als vermeintliche Diagnose ist nicht nur Gegenstand medialer Diskurse und gesellschaftlicher Ausverhandlungsprozesse, sondern auch ideales...

22.01.2018 17:00
 

Welche Relevanz haben Sozialwissenschaften?

Podiumsdiskussion zum Start der Societal Impact-Plattform

Der Ruf nach gesellschaftlicher Relevanz von Forschung ist heute deutlicher zu hören denn...

 New Publications

Passoth J-H, Bowker GC, Klimburg-Witjes N, Van Mannen G-J. Hacking Satellites. In Sensing In/Security: Sensors as Transnational Security Infrastructures. Manchester: Mattering Press. 2021. p. 399-409

Mora-Gámez F. Thinking beyond the ‘imposter’: gatecrashing un/welcoming borders of containment. In Woolgar S, Moats D, Vogel E, Helgesson CF, editors, The imposter as social theory: thinking with gatecrashers, cheats, and charlatans. Bristol University Press. 2021. p. 293-315