STS Seminar Series 2012-13
Department of Science and Technology Studies
University College London
The series is free and open to the public
Monday 12 November, 4.15 pm
Sabina Leonelli , Centre for Genomics and Society (Egenis), Exeter
"Life in the Digital Age: The Impact of Open Data and Data-Sharing
Technologies on Biological Research"
Venue: Roberts Building, room 106
http://www.ucl.ac.uk/estates/roombooking/building-location/?id=045
The seminar will be followed by a reception at the Grant Museum of
Zoology and Comparative Anatomy
Abstract:
The so-called ‘data deluge’, caused by the overwhelming quantity of
information available to scientists through new technologies for the
production, storage and dissemination of data, keeps making headlines.
Online databases and data mining tools are gaining authority as the best
ways not only to disseminate data, but also to understand their
scientific significance – in other words, to transform data into
knowledge. Perhaps unsurprisingly, Microsoft researchers have taken the
lead in dubbing data-intensive approaches as a brand new paradigm in the
history of science. Equally unsurprising is the position of scholars in
the history, philosophy and social studies of science, who are taking a
more cautious stand on both the novelty and the revolutionary potential
of these developments. This talk examines some implications of this
shift in research practices within the biological and biomedical
sciences. Are we witnessing the rise of a new scientific epistemology,
centred upon data-intensive research methods? And what opportunities and
dangers are associated to it? This talk will consider these questions
from a philosophical perspective informed by empirical studies of data
curation in model organism biology and plant science, as well as
involvement in policy discussions of Open Science and ‘intelligent’ data
dissemination.
Forthcoming Seminars:
Monday 26 November, 4.15 pm
Helen Curry, HPS, Cambridge
"Atoms in agriculture: nuclear science as agricultural outreach in the
United States, 1945-1960"
Venue: Room 105, 24 Gordon Square
Building Location:
http://www.ucl.ac.uk/estates/roombooking/building-location/?id=026
Monday 10 December, 4.15 pm
Jack Stilgoe, STS, UCL
"Governing intent: Experiments in responsible geoengineering"
Venue: Room 105, 24 Gordon Square
Building Location:
http://www.ucl.ac.uk/estates/roombooking/building-location/?id=026
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Dr. Chiara Ambrosio
Lecturer in History and Philosophy of Science
Department of Science and Technology Studies
University College London
Gower Street
London WC1E 6BT
Phone: +44 02076790166
http://www.ucl.ac.uk/sts/staff/ambrosio
http://www.ucl.ac.uk/sts
http://www.ucl.ac.uk/basc
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