Science and Technology in Society: Organizations, Regulations, Users and National Infrastructures

Thursday, 10 July 2025: 09:00-10:45
Location: SJES020 (Faculty of Legal, Economic, and Social Sciences (JES))
RC23 Sociology of Science and Technology (host committee)

Language: English

This RC23 open panel explores the multifaceted relationship between science, technology, and society by examining the interplay between organizations, regulatory frameworks, user practices, and national infrastructures. We aim to address questions such as: How do organizations navigate the complexities of regulation and innovation? In what ways do users reconfigure technologies to meet their needs, and how does this influence policymaking? What role do national infrastructures play in fostering—or hindering—equitable access to technological advancements? Through empirical and theoretical analyses, the panelists will illuminate the co-production of scientific knowledge, technological artifacts, and sociopolitical systems across diverse contexts. Through interdisciplinary analytical views, this session will critically examine case studies ranging from agriculture to biotechnology, and from basic infrastructures to advanced energy systems. This panel aims to foster dialogue about the shared responsibilities of stakeholders—scientists, policymakers, engineers, and citizens—in shaping technologies that align with democratic and ethical values. By reflecting on the socio-technical dynamics that underpin contemporary challenges and opportunities, it will emphasize the national and transnational dimensions of science and technology governance.
Session Organizer:
Olga SALIDO CORTES, Universidad Complutense de Madid, Spain
Oral Presentations
Road Safety and Vulnerable Road Users in Islamabad, Pakistan
Hifza IRFAN, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan, Pakistan; Muhammad ZAMAN, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan, Pakistan
Gender Equity and Institutional Policies: The Impact of Spain’s ‘Knowledge Transfer & Innovation Sexennium’ Program on Academic Careers
Olga SALIDO CORTES, Universidad Complutense de Madid, Spain; Manuel FERNANDEZ ESQUINAS, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas, Spain
Inducing Innovation in Anaerobic Digestion Technology for Small- and Medium-Scale Farms through International Exchanges China, Brazil, and the United States
Rick WELSH, 5, USA; Augusto OLIVEIRA, PUC RS, Brazil; Ryan NEHRING, CGIAR-IFPRI, USA; Andreia MATHEUS, Landless Workers Movement, Brazil; Kevin CHEN, CGIAR-IFPRI, China; Li ZHANG, Amherst College, USA; Stefan GRIMBERG, Clarkson University, USA
Adoption or Adaptation? Prepayment Technology and Water Services for the Urban Poor in Uganda.
Gerald Zihembire AHABWE, PHD, Kampala Capital City Authority, Uganda