Re: IAS-STS Fellowship Programme 2014-2015

[Esther Ortega]

INSTITUTE FOR ADVANCED STUDIES

ON SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND SOCIETY (IAS-STS)

Fellowship Programme 2014-2015

The IAS-STS in Graz, Austria, promotes the interdisciplinary investigation of the links and

interactions between science, technology and society, as well as technology assessment and

research into the development and implementation of socially and environmentally sound

technologies. Broadly speaking, the IAS-STS is an institute for the enhancement of science

and technology studies.

The IAS-STS invites researchers to apply for a stay between 1 October 2014 and 30 June

2015 as a

- Research Fellow (up to nine months); or,

- Visiting Scholar (shorter period, e.g. a month).

The IAS-STS offers excellent research infrastructure. Close co-operation with researchers

at the IFZ (Inter-University Research Centre for Technology, Work and Culture; see:

www.ifz.aau.at), guest lectures, colloquia, workshops, and conferences provide an atmosphere

of creativity and scholarly discussion.

Furthermore, we can offer five grants, worth EUR 940 per month, for long-term Research

Fellows at the IAS-STS.

The Fellowship Programme 2014-2015 is dedicated to projects investigating the

following issues:

1. Gender – Technology – Environment

This area of research particularly focuses on gender and queer dimensions in science and

technology. On the one hand, individual perspectives of actors in the technological field are

taken into account; on the other hand, educational, organisational, societal, environmental,

and political issues are gaining more and more relevance. Queer perspectives on STS are of

special interest, including analyses of the reproduction of sexual binaries or reproductions

of marginalized/hegemonic positions and normalizations in and through science and

technologies.

2. Life Sciences/Biotechnology

Applications are sought in two thematic areas:

First, following some 20 years of public debate, agricultural biotechnology continues to be

a deeply controversial issue in the EU, partly fueled by progress in science and technology

innovation such as GM industrial and energy crops, or novel breeding techniques. Research

should contribute to a better understanding of the regulatory, broader policy and governance

challenges of agricultural biotechnology, and/or explore strategies to manage these

challenges.

Second, in recent years, social studies of the life sciences were bound to large scale research

programmes. In many countries, these funding schemes have now come to an end. This is an

opportunity to review these previous programmes via collaborative engagement with the life

sciences, as well as to explore new ways of inquiry. Applicants are encouraged to address

these issues when analysing the life sciences as a social process.

3. Sustainable and Innovative Public Procurement & Ecodesign

The supply side policy “Ecodesign”, and the demand side policy “Public Procurement”, are

used to support the transition towards green, socially responsible and innovative markets.

Nonetheless, scientific research in these respective fields is still limited. Researchers

investigating the following areas are encouraged to apply:

The environmental impact or the innovation potential of green public procurement

and ‘Ecodesign’; the impact of socially responsible public procurement; the hurdles, success

factors, efficacy, and wider implications of European or national policies for sustainable and

innovative public procurement and ‘Ecodesign’.

4. Towards Low-Carbon Energy Systems

Based on analyses of social, technological and organisational frameworks of energy use,

projects should contribute to the shaping of sustainable energy, climate and technology

policies. They should focus on socio-economic aspects of energy technologies or on strategies

of environmental technology policy. They should develop measures and strategies for the

promotion of renewable energy sources; for the transition to a sustainable energy system;

or, contribute to the field of sustainable construction. Regional governance, climate policy

strategies, innovation policy and the role of users are important themes. In addition, the

Manfred Heindler grant is awarded to research projects concerning the increased use of

renewable energies and the more efficient use of energy.

5. Sustainable Food Systems

Food security, nutrition, food quality and safety, resource scarcity, carbon foot prints and

other challenges faced in urban or rural areas are currently dominating the industrialized and

globalized food systems. Research applications are encouraged which explore different forms

of sustainable food systems, as well as related social practices and socioeconomic/technical

processes in the production, distribution, marketing, and consumption of food. A particular

focus lies on governance mechanisms, policies, and their (potential) contribution to a wider

transformation towards more sustainable cities, regions and societies.

Applications must be submitted to the IAS-STS by 31 December 2013.

For application forms and further information:

Please visit our website: www.sts.aau.at

Institute for Advanced Studies on Science, Technology and Society (IAS-STS)

Attn. Gunter Getzinger

Kopernikusgasse 9

8010 Graz – Austria

E-mail: in...@sts.tugraz.at

--

Esther Ortega
Research Fellow, Institute for Advanced Studies on Science, Technology and Society (IAS-STS)
Graz, Austria

www.sts.tugraz.at