8 December 2008

From Anti Tradition to Anti Pseudo Science: Science, 'Chinese Scientism' and Traditional Medicine in Modern China

Prof Li Zheng Feng, Institute of Science, Technology and Society, Tsinghua University, and Dr Shen Xiaobai, ISSTI and Business School, Edinburgh

Time: 3.30-5

Reading Group: Science & Technology - Artefacts & Practice

Klaus Staubermann from National Museums Scotland has launched a reading group on Artefacts and Practice. The aim is to explore new ways of linking texts and artefacts. Next meeting: Wednesday 21 January from 15:00 till 17:00. All ISSTI members, associates and students are welcome to participate.

Understanding the Information Needs and Uses of Life Science Researchers

ISSTI has secured a £150K contract from British Library, Research Information Network to undertake a series of Case Studies in Life Sciences: Understanding Researchers' Information Needs and Uses.

Schumpeter Prize

Professor Martin Fransman has been awarded the 2008 Schumpeter Prize for his book, The New ICT Ecosystem – Implications for Europe.

New short guide to designing interdisciplinary research for policy and practice

The latest in a series of interdisciplinary research guides addresses the issue of knowledge exchange and the role of interdisciplinary for policy and practice.

Donald Mackenzie wins 2008 Zelizer Distinguished Scholarship Award

Professor Donald Mackenzie has been awarded the prestigious 2008 Zelizer Distinguished Scholarship Award by the American Sociological Association, for his book "An Engine, not a Camera: How Financial Models Shape Markets". The award committee found the book to be an outstanding and innovative contribution to the social study of the financial world, and a striking illustration of the utility of a science studies' approach to economic processes.

Reading the Heavens: The Crawford Collection in the History of Astronomy at the Royal Observatory of Edinburgh

Monica Azzolini of the School of History, Classics and Archaeology, and John Henry of the Science Studies Unit, have been awarded a grant of £6000 by the Royal Society of Edinburgh to enable them to set up a workshop on “Reading the Heavens: The Crawford Collection in the History of Astronomy at the Royal Observatory of Edinburgh”.

Studies of Science Studies in Edinburgh

Those interested in the Edinburgh dimension to science studies may like to know of two recent commissions which John Henry was asked to write and which have now appeared in print.

ISSTI Research Fellow joins judging panel for National Business Awards Scotland 2008

Dr Luciana D’Adderio, ISSTI member and Innovation Fellow with the Advanced Institute of Management, has been selected to join expert/specialist judging panel for The National Business Awards for Scotland 2008 (including the ATOS Origin Business Innovation of the Year Award and the Orange Best Use of Technology in Business Award categories).

Understanding Technology lecture series

National Museums Scotland and ISSTI are organising a series of public lectures entitled Understanding Technology for 2008 and 2009. The third lecture in the series is on Thursday 13 November. Geoff Swinney will present Professor Wilson's Map of Technology

Edinburgh University Internet Studies Network

There are many researchers at Edinburgh whose work touches on aspects of the Internet, how is is created, governed, integrated into society and the economy, and how it may be used in fields as diverse as media, education, religion and politics. This network bring together these groups and will be the focus of a forthcoming research seminar series

New Energy and Environment specialism in MSc STPM

From 2008/09, the MSc Science and Technology Policy and Management will offer a specialist route in Energy and Environment, with courses from ISSTI and from the Centre for the Study of Environmental Change and Sustainability (CECS).

New History of Science and Medicine specialism in MSc STS

From 2008/09, the MSc Science and Technology Studies will offer a specialist route in the History of Science and Medicine, drawing on the extensive expertise in the Science Studies Unit.

ISSTI Working Paper 6: Championing Environmental Improvements in Innovation

Taking case studies of process innovations in the chemicals and dairy industries, Nils Markusson examines the role and context of different actors pursuing environmental innovation in companies, and argues for an approach to understanding ‘environmental champions’ that takes into account both structure and action.

ISSTI newsletter 12 Oct 2008