[PHILOS-L] CfP: Interdisciplinary International Graduate Summer School, Donostia-San Sebastián, July 6-10 2026
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Kasprowicz, Dawid
Jan 29, 2026, 3:24:26 AMJan 29
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CALL FOR PAPERS:
The PRAXIS research group at the University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU,
the Institute for Technology Assessment and Systems Analysis (ITAS, KIT
Karlsruhe) and the The Käte Hamburger Kolleg: Cultures of Research at RWTH
Aachen University will host an International Summer School for PhD students, titled
“The impacts of digitalization on science and society in the quest for more
sustainable futures”.
The Summer School is part of the 45th edition of the UPV/EHU
Summer Courses in Donostia-San Sebastián.
Keynote lecturers of the Summer School
- Prof. Dr. Gabriele Gramelsberger, Käte Hamburger Kolleg Cultures of
Research RWTH Aachen University, Germany
- Prof. Dr. Harro van Lente, full professor of Science and Technology Studies at
the Faculty of Arts and Social Science, Maastricht University, The Netherlands
- Prof. Dr. Stefano Balbi, Basque Centre for Climate Change (BC3) and
IKERBASQUE - Basque Foundation for Science, Basque Country (Spain)
- Prof. Dr. Gabriele Gramelsberger, Käte Hamburger Kolleg Cultures of
Research RWTH Aachen University, Germany
- Prof. Dr. Harro van Lente, full professor of Science and Technology Studies at
the Faculty of Arts and Social Science, Maastricht University, The Netherlands
- Prof. Dr. Stefano Balbi, Basque Centre for Climate Change (BC3) and
IKERBASQUE - Basque Foundation for Science, Basque Country (Spain)
Presentation
Science has been significantly shaped by digitalization over the past decades,
Science has been significantly shaped by digitalization over the past decades,
affecting multiple levels of research and practice – knowledge production,
methodology, cultures of collaboration, science-society interactions and, finally, the
very idea of science as such (Storey and Baskerville 2025). Multiple
transformations in science are occurring, e.g. via data science tools, research
software, modelling tools, AI tools, data ecosystems or other digitalized research
tools and infrastructures. This is significant not only for data generation and data
processing, but also for knowledge production itself (OECD 2020). For instance,
new digital technologies such as digital twins (future labs) are claimed to
very idea of science as such (Storey and Baskerville 2025). Multiple
transformations in science are occurring, e.g. via data science tools, research
software, modelling tools, AI tools, data ecosystems or other digitalized research
tools and infrastructures. This is significant not only for data generation and data
processing, but also for knowledge production itself (OECD 2020). For instance,
new digital technologies such as digital twins (future labs) are claimed to
revolutionize sustainability research and planning (Garske et al. 2024). However,
new digital technologies should not simply be conceived as tools for enhancing the
scope and speed of scientific knowledge production, collaboration, communication
and interaction. There are also wicked relationships with other fields of society
(e.g., policy, citizens) emerging (Hocquet et al. 2024).
In that respect, recent discussions increasingly recognize that digitalization should
support broader social and cultural changes—especially socio-ecological
transformations—that aim to lead societies toward a more sustainable future (e.g.,
Koundouri et al. 2023). However, the specific importance of new digital
technologies and innovations—alongside other societal changes and
developments—remains largely unclear and is rarely the subject of thorough
investigation (Steig et al. 2025; Westerlaken 2024). A widespread optimism can be
observed regarding the potential and ability of digitalization in the face of urgent
socio-ecological problems such as the climate crisis and growing social injustice
worldwide (Mouthaan et al. 2023; Tabe-Ojong et al. 2024). Yet critical questions
remain: what are the actual contributions and the intended and unintended impacts
of digitalization on science and on science-society interactions within these
complex and long-term socio-technical change processes? To what extent can
digitalization truly be considered an enabler of a sustainable future?
new digital technologies should not simply be conceived as tools for enhancing the
scope and speed of scientific knowledge production, collaboration, communication
and interaction. There are also wicked relationships with other fields of society
(e.g., policy, citizens) emerging (Hocquet et al. 2024).
In that respect, recent discussions increasingly recognize that digitalization should
support broader social and cultural changes—especially socio-ecological
transformations—that aim to lead societies toward a more sustainable future (e.g.,
Koundouri et al. 2023). However, the specific importance of new digital
technologies and innovations—alongside other societal changes and
developments—remains largely unclear and is rarely the subject of thorough
investigation (Steig et al. 2025; Westerlaken 2024). A widespread optimism can be
observed regarding the potential and ability of digitalization in the face of urgent
socio-ecological problems such as the climate crisis and growing social injustice
worldwide (Mouthaan et al. 2023; Tabe-Ojong et al. 2024). Yet critical questions
remain: what are the actual contributions and the intended and unintended impacts
of digitalization on science and on science-society interactions within these
complex and long-term socio-technical change processes? To what extent can
digitalization truly be considered an enabler of a sustainable future?
The transformative effects of the digitalization of science are evident at various
levels, but its interactions with, and future impacts on, the broader socio-cultural
transformations of science and society remain largely unknown and call for further
research. Accordingly, the summer school will focus on the following key topics:
1. Transformations in scientific knowledge production through
digitalization
2. Transformations of scientific cultures in everyday practices
3. Transformations of science-society interactions in transdisciplinary
and transformative research through real-world experiments using
digital twins
4. Concepts and methodologies for the assessment and governance of
digital transformation activities
5. Varieties of knowledge production and their transformation through
digitalization worldwide
The Summer School invites PhD-researchers worldwide from a broad range of
Humanities, Social Studies and Cultural Studies, Science & Technology Studies
(STS) and Technology Assessment (TA) and other inter- and transdisciplinary
approaches such as policy-, sustainability- and transformative-research, which
address the interrelations of digitalization of science and socio-cultural
transformations.
levels, but its interactions with, and future impacts on, the broader socio-cultural
transformations of science and society remain largely unknown and call for further
research. Accordingly, the summer school will focus on the following key topics:
1. Transformations in scientific knowledge production through
digitalization
2. Transformations of scientific cultures in everyday practices
3. Transformations of science-society interactions in transdisciplinary
and transformative research through real-world experiments using
digital twins
4. Concepts and methodologies for the assessment and governance of
digital transformation activities
5. Varieties of knowledge production and their transformation through
digitalization worldwide
The Summer School invites PhD-researchers worldwide from a broad range of
Humanities, Social Studies and Cultural Studies, Science & Technology Studies
(STS) and Technology Assessment (TA) and other inter- and transdisciplinary
approaches such as policy-, sustainability- and transformative-research, which
address the interrelations of digitalization of science and socio-cultural
transformations.
References
Garske B.; Holz, W.; Ekardt, F. (2024). Digital twins in sustainable transition: exploring the role of
EU data governance. Frontiers in Research Metrics and Analytics, 9, article 1303024.
Hocquet, A.; Wieber, F.; Gramelsberger, G. et al. (2024): Software in science is ubiquitous yet
overlooked. Nature Computational Science, 4, 465-468.
Koundouri, P.; Landis, C.; Plataniotis, A. (2023). Contribution of Digitalization to the Sustainable
Development in Europe (JRC134441). Seville: European Commission.
Mouthaan, M., Frenken, K., Piscicelli, L., & Vaskelainen, T. (2023). Systemic sustainability effects
of contemporary digitalization: A scoping review and research agenda. Futures, 149, article
103142.
OECD (2020). The Digitalisation of Science, Technology and Innovation: Key Developments and
Policies. Paris: OECD Publishing.
Steig, F.; Koenig, P. D.; Marquardt, J.; Oels, A., Radtke, J.; Rehak, R.; Weiland, S. (2025).
Sustainability powered by digitalization? (Re-)politicizing the debate. Sustainability: Science,
Practice and Policy, 21(1), article 2521181.
Storey, V. C.; Baskerville, R. L. (2025). Digitalization of the natural sciences: Design science
research and computational science. Decision Support Systems, 189, article 114368.
Tabe-Ojong, M. P. Jr., Salama, Y., Abay, K. A. et al. (2024). Harnessing digital innovations for
climate action and market access: Opportunities and constraints in the CWANA region. Global
Food Security, 41, article 100763.
Westerlaken, M. (2024). Digital twins and the digital logics of biodiversity. Social Studies of Science,
54(4), 575-597.
Garske B.; Holz, W.; Ekardt, F. (2024). Digital twins in sustainable transition: exploring the role of
EU data governance. Frontiers in Research Metrics and Analytics, 9, article 1303024.
Hocquet, A.; Wieber, F.; Gramelsberger, G. et al. (2024): Software in science is ubiquitous yet
overlooked. Nature Computational Science, 4, 465-468.
Koundouri, P.; Landis, C.; Plataniotis, A. (2023). Contribution of Digitalization to the Sustainable
Development in Europe (JRC134441). Seville: European Commission.
Mouthaan, M., Frenken, K., Piscicelli, L., & Vaskelainen, T. (2023). Systemic sustainability effects
of contemporary digitalization: A scoping review and research agenda. Futures, 149, article
103142.
OECD (2020). The Digitalisation of Science, Technology and Innovation: Key Developments and
Policies. Paris: OECD Publishing.
Steig, F.; Koenig, P. D.; Marquardt, J.; Oels, A., Radtke, J.; Rehak, R.; Weiland, S. (2025).
Sustainability powered by digitalization? (Re-)politicizing the debate. Sustainability: Science,
Practice and Policy, 21(1), article 2521181.
Storey, V. C.; Baskerville, R. L. (2025). Digitalization of the natural sciences: Design science
research and computational science. Decision Support Systems, 189, article 114368.
Tabe-Ojong, M. P. Jr., Salama, Y., Abay, K. A. et al. (2024). Harnessing digital innovations for
climate action and market access: Opportunities and constraints in the CWANA region. Global
Food Security, 41, article 100763.
Westerlaken, M. (2024). Digital twins and the digital logics of biodiversity. Social Studies of Science,
54(4), 575-597.
Registration
The Summer School is open to PhD students at various stages of progress in their
dissertation project. Please apply by sending us, at the latest by February 15th
2026, an abstract of max. 3.000 characters outlining your PhD project and in
particular the background to the problem discussed, research questions as well as
the methods and theoretical approaches to be adopted, together with a CV.
The Summer School is open to PhD students at various stages of progress in their
dissertation project. Please apply by sending us, at the latest by February 15th
2026, an abstract of max. 3.000 characters outlining your PhD project and in
particular the background to the problem discussed, research questions as well as
the methods and theoretical approaches to be adopted, together with a CV.
Please send your application to Bettina-Joh...@kit.edu. Applicants will
receive notification of acceptance by February 20th 2026.
Participation in the course is free of charge. Unfortunately, the organizers cannot
cover any travel or accommodation costs. We would like to draw your attention to
national sponsorship institutions like the DAAD (German Academic Exchange
Service) in the case of Germany, who offer training course scholarships for
students. In some cases, there might be the option of sponsorship by KIT (KHYS).
Please contact your university’s international office for further information on
scholarships available in your country.
Further information:
https://www.itas.kit.edu/projekte_sche10_rigss.php
Organizers: Stefan Böschen (RWTH/Käte Hamburger Kolleg Cultures of
Research), Bettina-Johanna Krings (ITAS/KIT), Andreas Lösch (ITAS/KIT), Hannot
Rodriguez (UPV/EHU), Sergio Urueña (University of La Laguna).
receive notification of acceptance by February 20th 2026.
Participation in the course is free of charge. Unfortunately, the organizers cannot
cover any travel or accommodation costs. We would like to draw your attention to
national sponsorship institutions like the DAAD (German Academic Exchange
Service) in the case of Germany, who offer training course scholarships for
students. In some cases, there might be the option of sponsorship by KIT (KHYS).
Please contact your university’s international office for further information on
scholarships available in your country.
Further information:
https://www.itas.kit.edu/projekte_sche10_rigss.php
Organizers: Stefan Böschen (RWTH/Käte Hamburger Kolleg Cultures of
Research), Bettina-Johanna Krings (ITAS/KIT), Andreas Lösch (ITAS/KIT), Hannot
Rodriguez (UPV/EHU), Sergio Urueña (University of La Laguna).
Best,
Dr. phil. Dawid Kasprowicz
Lehrstuhl für Wissenschaftstheorie und Technikphilosophie / Chair for Philosophy of Science and Technology
Institut für Philosophie / Human Technology Centre
Raum: 410
Raum: 410
RWTH Aachen, Theaterplatz 14, 52056 Aachen
Tel.: 0241-80-25510
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