Nina and I recently attended the 4S – The society for the Social Studies of Science 2008 conference conference in Rotterdam. Nina exhibited objects and I gave a paper.
Nina’s objects first.
Two Tails
The companion species of Science and Technology Studies are proliferating. Here are two extracts – two tails of STS at this conference. The lion, appearing as a symbol of the Netherlands via the Rotterdam coat of arms, is reduced to a long stuffed tail. It is no longer threatening ‘Stronger Through Struggle’ – the motto of the Rotterdam lion – but rather has been reduced to being one end of a strange fabric entity made of only tails. Instead of a body, attached on the other end is a mass of fake coyote tail. In recognition of Donna Haraway’s formulation of ‘nature as coyote’, the coyote would surely appear on any coat of arms for 4S. Yet the coyote is most prized by hunters for its tail, shown as trophies and used to decorate hats. Here both tails are expanded, faked in synthetics, constructed so that they might almost function as cushions, or maybe allow a tug of war. They could perhaps be the remnants of a sewing class, now brought to be the new trophies for someone attempting to ‘act with’ STS metaphors.
My paper was on the role of mess in the making of WiFi.
The STS of visual representations in science, law and engineering clearly illustrate the sociological value of images and the practices that surround them. In these contexts, graphs, photos and sketches are seen as pivotal in understanding how practitioners construct knowledge, collaborate, reach consensus, recruit new members and do work. In essence, their persuasive power stems from the transformation of mess that occurs behind-the-scenes (raw materials, repetitive experiments and alternative interpretations) into finely honed, ordered, compatible and comparable visual accounts. The result is designed to omit the uncertainties and contingencies of everyday practice. Drawing on ethnographic observation and participation in a volunteer community wireless group in Australia I consider the visual methods members employ in the design of a wireless fidelity (WiFi) network. Specifically I focus on how they retain elements of multiplicity and unpredictability and show how they make WiFi because of uncertainty and ambiguity, not in spite of it. From this position I argue that mess is not a consequence of this fragile technology or the elastic nature of the volunteer community but a deliberate practice and core strength of the group, critical to how they innovate.
September 8th, 2008
I happened across this on the weekend out the front of Tate Modern. It is part of their UBS Openings: The Long Weekend.
Nuts!
May 26th, 2008
Design and Social Sciences
A new seminar series for 2007-2008.
It has become increasingly apparent that there are many points of contact between design and social science disciplines. In many respects, these have arisen in an ad hoc fashion, and there has been relatively little sustained reflection on what broader lessons can be drawn.
The CSISP seminar series on ‘Design and Social Science’ aims to explore these points of contact through a range of discussions that address such key topics as theory, practice, research, user, object, product, audience etc. Though the immediate objective is to enhance mutual understanding across disciplinary practices, it is also hoped that this series can serve as a platform for opening up interdisciplinary research futures. All seminars will take place in room 1204, Warmington Tower.
Wednesday 3rd October | 4.00-6.00pm
Brief Introductions: Mike Michael and Bill Gaver muse on Design and Social Science
Wednesday 17th October | 4.00-6.00pm
Nina Wakeford, ‘Experience, Models and Translation’
Wednesday 31st October | 4.00-6.00pm
Terry Rosenberg, ‘Criticality and Practice’
Wednesday 21st November | 4.00pm-6.00pm
Tobie Kerridge, ‘Designers as Naive Polyglots?’
Wednesday 5th December | 4.00-6.00pm
Bill Gaver and Mike Michael, ‘Where Next? Reflections on the futures of “Design and Social Science” ‘
October 3rd, 2007
Not that this blog should just be a noticeboard of things coming up but this looks great.
Free Symposium on home interaction, participative design + DIY culture.
Not In The Manual: Inquiries into open-ended and user-based design interventions in and around the home.
Monday 12th November 2007
Inaugural symposium from the Home Interaction Research Cluster at the University College for the Creative Arts at Farnham
Farnham Maltings, Bridge Square, Farnham, Surrey, GU9 7QR
Symposium Details
The symposium explores just how individuals are participating in the design of their immediate environment and what influence this might have on the shape of design. What can we learn from these ‘amateur’ interventions? How can professional design harness the creative potential of user participation? What services and products may emerge from this DIY ecology? What new methods of interaction are being offered? What is this sense of ‘home’ that is being created?
The symposium is the first event hosted by the Home Interaction Research Cluster at Farnham and includes papers and presentations from academics within the group, as well as contributions from peers in social sciences, design history and computing.
This symposium will be of value to anyone with an interest in DIY cultures, co-creation, user-modification, personal agency and well-being within (and around) the ‘home’ setting, from disciplines such as design history, sociology, product design, interactive design, human-computer interaction.
Papers & presentations include:
– From Blog to Blogue: Personal media and life politics
– Making Space & Telling Stories: Homes Made By Amateurs
– Making Time: Interrogating the experience of the amateur maker
– Single Lives, Personal Spaces: Autoethnography and design for solo living
– Objects for Peaceful Disordering: Indigeneous Designs and Practices of Protest
– Warranty void if removed: modern day tinkering.
Outline Schedule
9:30 Coffee and Registration
10:00 – Keynote: Dr Tim Dant, Reader in Sociology, University of Lancaster
11.00-17.00 – Papers & Panel Discussion
17.30-21.00 – Drinks & Evening Meal
*Please note that the Symposium is free (including refreshments), but you must register in advance*. Places are strictly limited. To register a place or for any enquiries, please email homeinteraction@ucreative.ac.uk with your full name, job title/position, organisation name, contact email address, contact phone number and any professional/personal web address. You will receive a confirmation of your booking soon after.
October 3rd, 2007