The Finnish Society for STS turns 40!
To mark the occasion, the society organizes a two-day celebration event on September 18-19, 2025.
Schedule
Thursday 18.9.2025: Workshop for doctoral researchers
The society organizes a workshop for doctoral researchers with a dissertation that employs STS research practices and perspectives. Please apply by sending a short (250 word) introduction your topic and how it uses STS to [TBA]. Those accepted (max attendance is TBA) are expected to write a 2000 word text (DL TBA) in which you discuss your dissertation topic and reflect on the challenges in making observations, practicing collaboration, or indeed, making claims of normative kind about your topic. A strong recommendation is to read Prof. Calvert’s recent book (available here as open access) and use her ideas of different “rooms” to help you think about your topic – what rooms (also other than in Calvert’s book) does your work feature, and how do their dynamics influence your work? The workshop provides the participants with lunch and some fun in the evening. The attendance is free for accepted junior scholars.
Friday 19.9.2025: Keynote, panel discussion, celebration event
Prof. Jane Calvert (University of Edinburgh) will deliver a keynote with the title A Place for Science and Technology Studies, based on her insightfull book on practicing STS in different contexts and on the influence these contexts have for knowledge production and for the possibility of normative criticism. The talk is followed by a panel discussion about what STS is in Finland, reflecting on the keynote. On the stage with Prof. Calvert are Prof. Petri Ylikoski (University of Helsinki), Prof. Mianna Meskus (Tampere University), Prof. Salla Sariola (University of Helsinki), Prof. Sampsa Hyysalo (Aalto University) and Prof. Antti Silvast (LUT University).
Keynote talk by Prof. Jane Calvert (University of Edinburgh)
”A Place for Science and Technology Studies”
In its early days, the scientific laboratory was the preferred site for research in science and technology studies (STS). But things have changed. In my social scientific investigation of synthetic biology over the last 15 years I have spent time in large anonymous conference rooms, classrooms in need of a coat of paint, esoteric studios for artistic research, glass-walled government meeting rooms, artisan coffee houses, and high-ceilinged libraries. This has led me to the question: where does STS belong? In this talk, I journey through these different rooms, exploring the possibilities and limitations of each, and the opportunities they provide for observation, intervention, and collaboration with scientists and engineers. I end by asking whether there is a place for STS, whether STS has to create new spaces, or whether it is fated to be forever itinerant.
Jane Calvert is a Professor of Science and Technology Studies at the University of Edinburgh.
Her research is on the social studies of the life sciences, particularly synthetic biology. She has a long-standing interest in interdisciplinary collaborations and works closely with scientists, engineers, policy makers, artists and designers. Her book A Place for Science and Technology Studies was published Open Access by MIT Press in 2024.