Expertise, Trust and Democracy
The STS Summer School @ Harvard recognizes that questions at the intersection of science, technology and policy are increasingly at the center of public debate. We offer students an introduction to the essentials of STS thinking to support critical analysis and ethical decision-making on questions that challenge our capacity to work together across deepening epistemic, political, economic, and cultural divides.
Designed primarily for doctoral students, postdocs and young professionals, the Summer School offers intensive training in STS concepts and methods. Issues addressed include: persistent scientific controversies; “denialism” and loss of trust in expertise; cross-cultural differences in S&T policy; decision-making under uncertainty; and the implications of private sector funding of research.
Participants improve their analytic skills through a mix of lectures, case analysis, small-group discussions, and guided reflection on their own projects.
For more on the STS Summer School:
- Read the 2023 program and student testimonials
- Learn about the faculty and participants
- Meet the directors and staff
- See our gallery of past events
The 2023 STS Summer School took place August 20-26 at Harvard University.
What participants say
The other students were … the best part of the program. Everyone had interesting and engaging research questions, coming from diverse home disciplines, geographies, and backgrounds, and all eager to discuss their work and its connections to the summer program.
― Maddy, 2022 Participant
I deeply engaged with a number of the faculty, and formed deep connections with many students from a range of disciplinary perspectives. It transformed my ways of thinking … about [the] production of expertise as well as new ways to think about democratization and participatory governance.
― Alberto, 2019 Participant
Funding
The STS Summer School is jointly hosted by the Institute for Global Law and Policy at Harvard Law School and the Program on Science, Technology and Society at Harvard Kennedy School, with the generous support of the Hewlett Foundation.
Contact
STS Summer School @ Harvard
Program on Science, Technology and Society
79 John F. Kennedy Street
Cambridge MA, 02138
sts.harvardsummer@gmail.com
1-617-496-0807
