Science and Technology in Society
📘 About This Book
Science and technology profoundly shape the world today. Over the last two centuries, they have become powerful engines of change, accounting for some of the most important forms of human activity, inseparable from social, political and economic life. Analyzing their modes of production, the dynamics of their dissemination, the different forms of their use and opposition to them is a major academic and political challenge. Science and Technology in Society offers a broad overview of work carried out in France, in the international multi-disciplinary field of Science and Technology Studies (STS), and is the product of a collaboration between some thirty authors. It aims to provide an introduction to this field of research, its development, benefits and the new perspectives that are emerging. This book presents and discusses studies that are still little-known in France, even though, paradoxically, many researchers from French institutions make decisive contributions to international work in this field.
📖 Summary
Science and Technology in Society, edited by Soraya Boudia and published in 2025, spans 308 pages within the realm of social science. It addresses the profound ways in which science and technology shape the modern world. Over the last two centuries, scientific and technological advancements have transformed into powerful engines of global change, representing some of the most critical forms of human activity. Today, these domains are utterly inseparable from our social, political, and economic lives. Analyzing how scientific knowledge and technological innovations are produced, how they disseminate across societies, the diverse ways they are put to use, and the public or institutional opposition they encounter represents a massive both academic and political challenge. This book serves as a vital resource by offering a broad overview of the rich work carried out in France within the international, multidisciplinary field of Science and Technology Studies. As the product of a collaborative effort involving some thirty distinct authors, the text functions as an accessible yet comprehensive introduction to this expansive research field. It explores the historical development of Science and Technology Studies, highlights its core benefits to contemporary understanding, and charts the new perspectives that are actively emerging in response to our rapidly evolving technological landscape. By bringing together multiple scholarly voices, the book captures the complexity of how technical and scientific developments intertwine with human culture and governance. Readers are invited to examine the intricate feedback loops between society and its tools, recognizing that scientific facts and technological artifacts do not exist in a vacuum. Instead, they are deeply embedded in political negotiations, economic structures, and social dynamics. Through its extensive coverage, Science and Technology in Society equips readers to better navigate the pressing debates of our time, from the regulation of emerging technologies to the evaluation of scientific authority in the public sphere. It is an indispensable guide for anyone seeking to understand the mechanisms of innovation and the societal reactions they provoke.
🎯 Key Lessons
⚖️ Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
Offers a broad overview of Science and Technology Studies from a unique French perspective.
Features collaborative insights from approximately thirty different authors.
Serves as an accessible introduction to complex multidisciplinary research.
Highlights emerging perspectives and new developments in the field.
⚠️ Cons
May be too academic or dense for casual readers seeking a light narrative.
Focuses heavily on French and international perspectives which might require broader contextual knowledge.
❓ FAQ
Who is the author of Science and Technology in Society? +
The book is edited by Soraya Boudia and features contributions from some thirty authors.
When was the book published? +
It was published in 2025.
How many pages does the book have? +
The book spans 308 pages.
What primary academic field does the book explore? +
It explores the international, multidisciplinary field of Science and Technology Studies.
What are the core themes addressed in the text? +
The core themes include the production, dissemination, use, and opposition to science and technology in society.
