STEP - Science and Technology in the European Periphery

IAS-STS FELLOWSHIP PROGRAMME 2011-2012

The IAS-STS in Graz, Austria, promotes the
interdisciplinary investigation of the links and
interactions between science, technology and
society as well as technology assessment and
research into the development and implementation
of socially and environmentally sound technologies.
The IAS-STS is broadly speaking, an institute for
the enhancement of science and technology studies.

The IAS-STS invites researchers to apply for a stay
between 1 October 2011 and 30 June 2012 as a

- Research Fellow (up to nine months) or as a
- Visiting Scholar (shorter period, e.g. a month)

The IAS-STS offers excellent research
infrastructure. Close co-operation with researchers
at the IFZ (Inter-University Research Centre for
Technology, Work and Culture;
see: www.ifz.tugraz.at), guest lectures, workshops
and conferences provide an atmosphere of
creativity and scholarly discussion.

Furthermore we can offer five grants (up to EUR
1,000 per month) for long-term Research Fellows
at the IAS-STS.

The Fellowship Programme 2011-2012 is
dedicated to projects investigating the following
issues:

1. Gender - Technology - Environment
This area of research particularly focuses on
gender dimensions of science and technology.
On the one hand individual perspectives of
actors in the technological field are taken into
account, on the other hand educational,
organisational, societal, environmental and
political issues are gaining more and more
relevance. Current promising research will
also shed more light on the interrelation
between individuals? concepts and media
representations of gender and technology.

2. Genetics and Biotechnology
A focus of the Fellowship Programme lies
on research providing a critical analysis
either of human genetics or of biotechnology.
Researchers investigating either ethical, legal
and social aspects of genetic testing in the
medical domain or risk and wider governance
issues related to agricultural biotechnology are
especially encouraged to apply.

3. Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP)
SCP seeks to promote social and economic
development within the carrying capacity of ecosystems.
New strategies and concrete tools are needed to change
individual and institutional patterns of consumption and
to enhance corporate responsibility (CR) of
organisations. Researchers investigating patterns of
consumption and intervention strategies to promote
sustainable lifestyles among both public and private
consumers or working within the thematic field of
ecological product policy are encouraged to apply.
Research projects integrating product assessment tools
such as LCA, carbon footprint, MIPS or related
methods are also of special interest.

4. Energy and Climate
Projects in this field should aim at socio-economic
aspects of environmental technologies or at strategies
of environmental technology policy, such as user
participation or strategic niche management. They should
develop measures and strategies for the promotion of
renewable energy sources and for the transition to a
sustainable energy system. Regional governance, climate
policy strategies, innovation policy and the role of users
in the area of energy technologies play an important role.
In addition, the Manfred Heindler Grant is awarded for
research projects on the increased use of renewable
energies and on a more efficient use of energy.

5. Information and Communication
Technologies (ICTs)Novel developments in ICT-related
fields are inquired from the perspective of the social studies
and the philosophy of science and technology. This inquiry
includes topics such as ICTs and agency (in Artificial
Intelligence and beyond), ubiquitous computing and ICTs
and mobility. These issues are analysed with respect to
their wider social, psychological, ethical and political
implications. Further issues of interest are the social
shaping of ICT developments, innovation policies, ICT
risk management and participatory approaches to the
design of ICT systems and applications.

Applications must be submitted to the IAS-STS
by 31 December 2010.

For application forms and further information:
Please visit our website: www.sts.tugraz.at

Institute for Advanced Studies on Science,
Technology and Society (IAS-STS)
Attn. Guenter Getzinger
Kopernikusgasse 9
8010 Graz - Austria
E-mail: info@sts.tugraz.at