STEP - Science and Technology in the European Periphery

*Call for papers*

for a Workshop on *Empirical Philosophy of Science - Qualitative Methods*

March 21-23, 2012 in Sandbjerg (Denmark)

Keynote Speakers:
Nancy Nersessian, Georgia Institute of Technology
Lisa Osbeck, University of West Georgia
Erika Mansnerus, London School of Economics
Hauke Riesch, Imperial College London

Organizers:
Hanne Andersen, Aarhus University
Susann Wagenknecht, Aarhus University

The workshop seeks to explore the benefits and challenges of an empirical philosophy of science: What do philosophers gain from empirical work? How can empirical research help to develop philosophical concepts? How do we integrate philosophical frameworks and empirical research? What constraints do we accept when choosing an empirical approach? What constraints does a pronounced theoretical focus impose on empirical work? Qualitative methods such as interviewing, fieldwork and qualitative text analysis gain increasingly appeal among philosophers of science. More and more scholars in philosophy resort to empirical work in order to study scientific practice. At the same time, the results produced through empirical work are very different from those gained through the kind of introspective conceptual analysis more typical of philosophy. Empirical work based on qualitative methods has a long and rich research tradition rooted in the social sciences. The use of qualitative methods in philosophy of science therefore also brings philosophers in close contact with philosophically inclined social scientists studying science.

This workshop will provide participants with the opportunity to explore some of the methodological, conceptual and practical challenges of conducting qualitative empirical work with philosophy of science. The discussion will focus on recently accomplished or ongoing research projects, and will address questions concerning the quality of empirical work and its explanatory power and theoretical significance for philosophy of science. In order to ensure a comprehensive discussion we invite papers both from scholars in philosophy and the social sciences who study scientific practice with the help of empirical methods. Of particular interest are submissions that introduce examples of empirical work in philosophy of science, discuss first-hand experiences with qualitative methods and/or provide reflections upon the scope of an empirical philosophy of science.

To apply: Proposals for papers (in either Word or pdf format) should include title, an abstract of ~800 words as well as the participant’s name, e-mail, phone and institutional affiliation.

Deadline for the submission of abstracts: November 15, 2011. Decisions will be announced by December 1, 2011.

Please send submissions to: Susann Wagenknecht, Centre for Science Studies, Aarhus University / su.wagen@ivs.au.dk

The all-inclusive conference fee (415 Euro) will cover accommodation and food at Sandbjerg Estate for March 21-23, 2012. An additional night’s accommodation and breakfast can be booked for 118 Euro per person. PhD students can apply for a 50% reduction. Please contact Susann Wagenknecht regarding availability.

Travel details and further information can be found at: http://ivs.au.dk/forskning/projects/philosophyofcontemporaryscienceinpra...