We Are STS

Science and technology studies (STS) combines a wide range of research subjects, including: history of science, philosophy of science, sociology of science, science policy, and science communication. We Are STS is an official podcast of the Department of Science and Technology Studies at University College London (UCL).

#7 Why Has Recycling Always Been Key to Research? Professor Simon Werrett Talks Thrifty Science | WeAreSTS 04/13/2021

#7 Why Has Recycling Always Been Key to Research? Professor Simon Werrett Talks Thrifty Science | WeAreSTS #7 Professor Simon Werrett talks about his award-winning book, THRIFTY SCIENCE. In Britain of the 17th and 18th centuries, the practices of reuse, re-purpose, and recycle were core to the work of what became science. Follow the trails left by these activities and you’ll find ideas that reorganise how we should think about the way science was done, where it was done, and who did the work. Professor Werrett resurrects the old word “oeconomy,” putting it to work to understand why reuse was virtuous. /episode/index/show/we-are-sts/id/18705083

Episode #6: Why Do We Talk So Differently About Innovation, Asks Dr Melanie Smallman | WeAreSTS 04/06/2021

Episode #6: Why Do We Talk So Differently About Innovation, Asks Dr Melanie Smallman | WeAreSTS Dr Melanie Smallman talks about her meta-study of attitudes across ten emerging technologies by public, government, and politicians. Her conclusion: we talk quite differently about innovation. Smallman argues those differences matter for how we respond to the changes taking place around us. Science communication and public engagement needs to be smarter about the public it serves. /episode/index/show/we-are-sts/id/18534746

#5 Meet the Snouters! Professor Joe Cain Talks about Jokes in Science | WeAreSTS 03/30/2021

#5 Meet the Snouters! Professor Joe Cain Talks about Jokes in Science | WeAreSTS For April Fool’s Day, we talk about a famous joke in biology. Dr Rebecca Martin interviews ProfJoeCain about Snouters. It began with a book in 1961 and an unusual group of mammals living on remote islands in the Pacific. It was a joke. That joke took on a life of its own as other people retold it, embellished it, and translated it. Joe has followed these paths. He’s also drawn lessons about communities. “Jokes help groups draw boundaries,” he says. “They do social work, and they do intellectual wo /episode/index/show/we-are-sts/id/18516908

BONUS: Should Research into Artificial Intelligence Be Stopped? Professor Jon Agar Explains Why A Former UCL Provost Said “Yes” 03/23/2021

BONUS: Should Research into Artificial Intelligence Be Stopped? Professor Jon Agar Explains Why A Former UCL Provost Said “Yes” Former UCL Provost James Lighthill argued research into artificial intelligence (AI) should be stopped. A report to government he authored in the 1970s likely caused the first “AI winter”. Lighthill was a distinguished mathematician and an enthusiastic supporter of research funding. In this lecture, historian Professor Jon Agar reports on his research about Lighthill’s views. Why would a likely supporter of AI come to argue it was a bad idea? /episode/index/show/we-are-sts/id/18427760

#4 Charlotte Sleigh Talks About What Makes Us Human | WeAreSTS 03/16/2021

#4 Charlotte Sleigh Talks About What Makes Us Human | WeAreSTS What makes us human? Professor Charlotte Sleigh talks about her book “Humans,” and explains “animal studies” as a part of history and philosophy of science. Part of STS1Book 2021. She also talks about cultural history of ants and what it’s like being president of a big society of historians. /episode/index/show/we-are-sts/id/18316166

BONUS Tribute to Dr William Fleming Maclehose (1967-2020) 03/09/2021

BONUS Tribute to Dr William Fleming Maclehose (1967-2020) BONUS: We pay tribute to our friend and colleague, Dr William Fleming Maclehose (1967-2020). Bill was a historian of medieval medicine. He was an expert in theories of sleep and sleeping. Bill loved the history of medicine in all its forms and across all cultures. This episode is an interview with Bill. Students in STS sometimes interview staff for projects in science communication. Deirdre Dinneen did just that with Bill. After hearing of Bill’s death, Deirdre kindly offered us this recording. /episode/index/show/we-are-sts/id/17936384

#3 Comparing Pandemics: COVID-19 and the 1918 ‘Spanish Flu’ 03/02/2021

#3 Comparing Pandemics: COVID-19 and the 1918 ‘Spanish Flu’ Episode #3: What are the similarities between the COVID-19 pandemic and the 1918 ‘Spanish Flu’ pandemic? How does history help us understand what’s happening today? One of our experts in science communication, Dr Jean-Baptiste Gouyon, interviews one of our historians of science and medicine, Dr Cristiano Turbil, to answer these questions, and more. Did you know the 1918 ‘Spanish Flu’ pandemic probably started in the US state of Kansas? Do you know why the 1918 pandemic is called the ‘Spanish Flu /episode/index/show/we-are-sts/id/17936261

#2 Talking Careers with Dr Jean-Baptiste Gouyon 02/23/2021

#2 Talking Careers with Dr Jean-Baptiste Gouyon Episode 2: Every university student has "careers" on the mind, even if they're not sure what they should be thinking about. I talk with the STS Careers Tutor, Dr Jean-Baptiste Gouyon about “careers thinking,” including the philosophy of flexible futures. As a careers tutor, Dr Gouyon is a specialist in thinking about how students might look ahead to find specific career paths. For more information about careers associated with STS: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/sts/careers /episode/index/show/we-are-sts/id/17936195

BONUS Admissions for Masters Degrees with Dr Jenny Bulstrode 02/16/2021

BONUS Admissions for Masters Degrees with Dr Jenny Bulstrode BONUS Why study STS at the postgraduate level? What are some of the benefits and key qualities of the programme? What are your options at UCL? Dr Jenny Bulstrode describes our Master’s level programmes in conversation with the show’s host, Professor Joe Cain. She offers guidance on choosing the right subject path, how to choose a referee, and what she seeks in a personal statement. STS offers two Master’s Degrees: History and Philosophy of Science MSc, AND Science, Technology, and Society MSc /episode/index/show/we-are-sts/id/17936081

#1 Jack Stilgoe Talks with Nuzhah Miah About Technology Policy 02/13/2021

#1 Jack Stilgoe Talks with Nuzhah Miah About Technology Policy Episode #1. STS student, Nuzhah Miah, interviews Dr Jack Stilgoe about Evgeny Morozov’s 2014 book, To Save Everything Click Here, asking him why it’s recommended reading for new students coming into UCL Department of Science and Technology Studies (STS). The book they are discussing is Evgeny Morozov (2014) To Save Everything Click Here: Technology, Solutionism, and the urge to fix problems that don’t exist (Penguin). /episode/index/show/we-are-sts/id/17935946

TRAILER Introducing WeAreSTS 02/05/2021

TRAILER Introducing WeAreSTS TRAILER. We're introducing “WeAreSTS," a new podcast from the Department of Science and Technology Studies at University College London (UCL). We talk about what we hope to accomplish with the podcast and what listeners can expect to learn. We have a lot planned, and SUBSCRIBE now before you forget. The show host is Professor Joe Cain. /episode/index/show/we-are-sts/id/17836973

We Are STS

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