The relationship between science and politics has been a significant and inherently reflexive topic since classical sociological theory, e.g. Max Weber’s reflections on value neutrality, in analyzing modern society and its structures of knowledge. At the same time, it constitutes a complex field of research at the intersection of science and higher education studies, political science, and governance theories. For science studies, this relationship has been a central concern since its inception and has lost little of its relevance over time. Building on longstanding debates following the diagnosis of the “knowledge society,” discussions have addressed the politicization of science and the implications of efforts toward “evidence-based” policymaking. More recently, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the sociopolitical role of scientific expertise has come sharply into focus. At the same time, intensifying geopolitical conflicts raise new questions about the politicization of science, challenging established concepts and paradigms such as “global science” and “open science.” Based on an examination of key theoretical approaches to the interplay between science and politics, the seminar will explore these contemporary empirical developments and emerging research perspectives. In doing so, it will also address the complex institutional structures and configurations of actors that shape the relationship between science and politics.
- Trainer/in: Lynn Felicitas Sibert