Subject: Science within the state
Date: Fri, 13 Jan 2006 22:28:59 +0100
From: Axel C. Huentelmann <[log in to unmask]>
Conference 'Science within the State',
Berlin, 9.11.2006-11.11.2006
Organisers: Axel C. Hüntelmann and Dr. Michael C. Schneider
Science and the State always stand in a special relationship to each
other. This can be seen clearly from the ambivalent successes, when the
State tries to make use of scientific advisory boards and all kinds of
expert commissions. For this general reason, such scientific activities
that are located within the state sphere or are directly state-run
deserve special attention from the perspective of the history of
science. The planned conference will deal with exactly such institutions
that pursue scientific research within the state or at least within the
broader sphere of the state.
For the last two decades some considerable research has been undertaken
concerning 'Big Science', e.g. research relating to the Max
Planck-Society and the German Research Foundation - often motivated by
their role during the national socialist dictatorship -, it seems to be
useful to turn again towards the specifics of state-run and similar
research institutions. We are especially interested in presentations
that discuss current and new projects. Such a conference seems to be
useful for at least three reasons:
- The methodology of science studies and the history of science in
general has seen a considerable widening during the last decades. This
invites us to scrutinize again the specifics of state-owned scientific
institutions. By looking at this special aspect of the relationship
between science and the state, there seem to be groounds for the
expectation seems to be founded that the completely different ways of
the working way of both of these spheres could be uncovered especially
clearly.
- Until now, state-run scientific institutions have only rarely been
analysed guided by the question to what extent they were able to persist
as scientific institutions under the special condition of being object
of direct state influence, and to what extent they have been able to
maintain the scientific character of their work both with regard to
their financiers to other scientific institutions - given that autonomy
of scientific institutions, as opposed to their subordination in a
bureaucratic hierarchy, can be seen as a basic principle of their
functionality.
- In addition, contexts of meaning concerning power, state and science
shall be analysed. What did the state expect from those scientific
institutions and experts whom it financed? Concepts of 'knowledge
society' or of 'gouvernementalite' can help to analyse this kind of
scientific institutions.
By which authorization are state-run scientific institutions founded,
financed and maintained? How do these institutions 'think'? Which
principles of organisation do they follow? And do such principles of
organisation contribute to the ability of those institutions to maintain
their scientific character? Does, finally, the scientific character of
such institutions change within time, and if yes, due to what reasons?
The conference concentrates on the 19th and 20th centuries. Not only
such proposals related to Germany are welcome, but also such that use an
internationally comparative approach and deal with the whole breadth of
state-run research institutions, both in the fields of natural sciences
and of humanities and social sciences.
Venue of the conference: Berlin/Germany
Date: 9.-11. November 2006
Please send proposals no longer than an A4-sheet by 28.2.2006 to
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Axel C. Huentelmann
Ruprecht-Karls-University Heidelberg
Institute for the History of Medicine
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Dr. Michael C. Schneider
Heinrich-Heine-University Duesseldorf
Institute for the History of Medicine
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