Geography and the Sites of Knowing

If historical epistemology examines the conceptual foundations of science, material culture its instruments and artefacts, and communication studies its public, this research theme explores how these abstractions and technologies engage both the idea and the substance of localities, places and environments. It examines how, where and why place (e.g., the spatial organization of science on every level from the study room to geopolitics) figures in the conduct of science and the forms of technology. It treats space as constitutive of systems of human interaction rather than as a neutral container.

Canadian scholars in this area are interested not only in the geographies of science itself - the special and social dispositions of laboratories, field stations, universities and law courts to name a few - but in the way these places, their practices and instruments, deploy, subvert, alter and constitute lands, territories, boundaries and physical space.

Given its colonial and colonizing past on the margins of a Eurocentric world, as well as its multi-cultural post-industrial present, Canadian STS/HPS will prove a dynamic venue for studies of the geopolitical dimensions that inhere in the relationship between science, technology and colonialism (and, indeed, post-colonialism). Taking the entire globe as its subject, but rooted in a strong tradition investigating the Canadian dimensions of these issues, this research theme brings together topics ranging from the ecological foundations of northern identities, the relations between technology and hostile environments, and the place of science and technology in redrawing the lines between pristine natures and the spaces of "soiled" artefacts.

The STS/HPS knowledge cluster will facilitate scholars from different disciplinary specialties and geographies to join together in one or more of these thematic areas to create fruitful dialogue and collaborative communication within the cluster, within, and eventually across the themes, and to progressively involve stakeholders in related scholarly and public spheres in Canada and internationally.

Upcoming Theme News and Events

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Past Theme News and Events

(Thu)

Nov

20

Centuries of dialogue: Asia and the West lecture series University of King's College Fall 2014 See full public lecture listings here! Course DescriptionFar from being isolated civilizations that... [+]

(Thu)

Oct

02

WATCH LIVE ONLINE! Rewriting the History of Science and Philosophy in Late Colonial India Dhruv Raina, Professor at the Zakir Husain Centre for Educational Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru... [+]

(Thu)

Sep

18

Cosmopolitanism and the Local in Science and Nature www.CosmoLocal.org Situating Science has helped launch a three year project that will establish a research network on “Cosmopolitanism” in... [+]

(Thu)

Aug

21

Globalizing History and Philosophy of Science: Problems and Prospects 21 Aug 2014 - 22 Aug 2014 ARI Seminar Room Tower Block Level 10, 469A Bukit Timah Road National University of Singapore @ BTCFor... [+]

(Sat)

Jun

14

Place and Practice: Doing Science in and on the Ocean 1800-2012 University of King’s College, 6350 Coburg Rd., Halifax, NS June 14-17, 2014Program Public Events Description Information for speakers... [+]

(Thu)

Apr

03

Technologies of Trauma: Assessing Wounds and Joining Bones in Late Imperial China YI-LI WU, RESEARCH CENTRE FOR EAST ASIAN SCIENCES AND TRADITIONS IN MEDICINE, UNIVERSITY OF WESTMINSTER Thurs. April... [+]

(Sat)

Mar

08

Circulating Knowledge, Crossing Borders: A Roundtable March 8th, 2:30-4:00 Ondaatje auditorium, McCain building, Dalhousie University, 6135 University Ave. International Women's DayA SSHRC Connecting... [+]

(Wed)

Mar

05

An xLECTURE on the xCLINIC Natalie Jeremijenko, associate professor of art and art education at the Steinhardt School of Culture, Education and Human Development Tribute Communities Recital Hall,... [+]

(Thu)

Nov

14

The Science and Technology Studies Colloquium presents:Sample and Mix: The Body Sonic in Qing Science and Medicine Carla Nappi, Department of History Thursday, November 14 in Buchanan Tower, Room... [+]

(Tue)

Oct

29

The Institute for Science and Technology Studies is pleased to announce the following talk by Prof. Benjamin Olshin of the University of the Arts, Philadelphia: "Adventures in History of Science:... [+]

(Wed)

Oct

02

Alfred Russel Wallace: More than Natural SelectionThe U. Alberta Node is celebrating Alfred Russel Wallace's centenary anniversary with a series of 5 special lectures on various aspects of Russell's... [+]

(Tue)

Jun

18

Paula Larsson reports on the Cluster workshop, "Where is the Laboratory Now? Representation, Intervention, and Realism in the 19th and 20th Century Biomedical Sciences."The student event organizer... [+]

(Fri)

Apr

26

Histories of Medicine in the Indian Ocean Indian Ocean World Centre (IOWC) McGill University, Montreal, Canada 26-27 April 2013Organiser: Anna Winterbottom (IOWC, McGill University)The aim of the... [+]

(Fri)

Mar

22

Bodies in Motion: Translating Early Modern Science March 22-23, 2013 University of British-Columbia Theme(s): Geography and Sites of KnowingFinal report: See document belowKeynote: Anthony Grafton,... [+]

(Wed)

Feb

27

The Bright Dark Ages: Comparative and Connective Perspectives 27 Feb 2013 - 28 Feb 2013 Ari Seminar Room Tower Block Level 10, 469A Bukit Timah Road National University of Singapore @ BTC Photos also... [+]