CALL FOR APPLICATIONS

ESF-ZiF-Bielefeld Conference on
Science and Values:
The Politicisation of Science
Organised by the European Science Foundation (ESF), in partnership with Bielefeld University and the Centre for Interdisciplinary Research (ZiF) of Bielefeld

25-30 May 2009, Center for Interdisciplinary Research (ZiF), Bielefeld, Germany

http://www.esf.org/conferences/09286

Chaired by: Martin Carrier & Peter Wengart, University of Bielefeld, Germany

Closing date for applications: 22 February 2009

ESF Contact: Anne Blondeel-Oman ([log in to unmask]) - ESF Research Conferences Unit, Brussels, Belgium

The ESF-Conference Series on "Science and Values" will be hosted by Bielefeld University and the Center for Interdisciplinary Research (ZiF), and is being organized by the Institute for Science and Technology Studies (IWT) of Bielefeld University in cooperation with the European Science Foundation. The series will encompass three conferences in a biennial schedule beginning in 2009, and again in 2011 and 2013. The topics of these conferences will be politicization, commercialization, and medialization of science, respectively.

A general worry in this field is that the inclusion of sociopolitical values in the confirmation practice of science tends to undercut the objectivity of science. For instance, in the field of expertise, science-based advice for political decision-making is in constant danger of becoming identified with one of the warring political factions. By tying its judgments too intimately to certain sociopolitical values, science runs the risk of losing its credibility. On the one hand, including such values in the assessment procedure is mandatory for a responsible science. On the other hand, a social bias of science tends to undercut the overarching authority of science which derives from its factual basis. A science tied too intimately with social values might lose the capacity of "speaking truth to power." As a result, the increasing politicization of science might undermine its credibility. To the extent that science enters the social arena and becomes part of political power play, the scientific claims to objectivity and trustworthiness tend to be sapped.

Each conference will bring together the knowledge and reflective competence of three disciplines, including the history, philosophy, and sociology of science. Such analyses of experts from science studies will be enriched with the experience and understanding of the practitioners, i.e., scientists working under value-related pressure (as it arises from practical challenges and social demands). In addition, representatives of relevant social groups (such as stakeholders) and the media will be included where appropriate.

Sessions will focus on:
* Science in the Social Arena
* Influence of Politics on Science
* Influence of Science on Politics
* Science and Societal Risks
* Historical Perspective
* Science and Political Values
* Democratization of Science
* Science and Politics: Nano Research
* Science in Society and the Media

Conference programme, list of invited speakers and application form are accessible online from http://www.esf.org/conferences/09286

Kind regards,
Corinne Wininger
Communications Officer - ESF Conferences

European Science Foundation - Communications Unit
1 quai Lezay-Marnésia, BP 90015
67080 Strasbourg Cedex, France
Phone: +33 (0)388 76 21 50
Fax: +33 (0)388 76 71 80
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www.esf.org/conferences