Susan Leigh Star‘s (1954-2010) work is situated at the intersection of social theory, history of science and technology, infrastructure studies, and feminism. She wrote about neuroscience, classification and standards (with Geoffrey C. Bowker), information infrastructure, gender and technology, the ecology of visible and invisible work, but also about her allergy to onions. She introduced (with James Griesemer) the influential concept of “boundary objects”--exploring how different groups of people interact when they are brought together around a common interest. Often combining qualitative methodology and feminist thought, Star’s writing is original, empathetic, and poetical.
We will read and discuss a selection of Star’s key texts and trace their influence and potential for a contemporary history of science and technology.
- Kursverantwortliche/r: Antonia von Schoening