The UCL Department of Science and Technology Studies is an academic department in University College London, London, England. It is part of UCL's Faculty of Mathematics and Physical Sciences. The Department offers academic training at both undergraduate and graduate (MSc and MPhil/PhD) levels.
The department received its current name in 1994, renamed from the 'Department of History and Philosophy of Science' (originated in 1938), and previously 'the Department of History and Method of Science' (originated in 1921).
UCL was the first UK university to offer undergraduate degrees in this interdisciplinary subject, launching its BSc in History and Philosophy of Science in 1993. Two related BSc degrees followed shortly thereafter. At UCL, science and technology studies (abbreviated 'STS') includes the study of (1) history, philosophy and sociology of science, (2) science policy and governance, and (3) science communication, engagement, and evaluation.
Academic staff in the department in 2012–13 include: Dr Jon Agar, Dr Chiara Ambrosio, Dr Brian Balmer, Dr Karen Bultitude, Professor Joe Cain, Dr Brendan Clarke, Dr Andrew Gregory, Dr Phyllis Illari, Dr Inga Kroener, Dr Simon Jay Lock, Dr William MacLehose, Professor Steve Miller, Dr Jack Stilgoe, Dr Emma Tobin, and Dr Simon Werrett.
Other staff include: Professor Frank A. J. L. James (Visiting Professor in the History of Science), Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock OBE (Research Fellow), Dr Christine Aicardi (Research Fellow), and Dr Norma Morris (Research Fellow).
Emeritus staff include: Professor Hasok Chang, Professor Donald Gillies, Mr Nicholas Maxwell, Professor Arthur I. Miller, and Professor Piyo Rattansi.
Jon Agar is editor of the The British Journal for the History of Science.
Departmental offices are located in 22 Gordon Square, Bloomsbury, London.
Famous quotes containing the words department, science, technology and/or studies:
“While the focus in the landscape of Old World cities was commonly government structures, churches, or the residences of rulers, the landscape and the skyline of American cities have boasted their hotels, department stores, office buildings, apartments, and skyscrapers. In this grandeur, Americans have expressed their Booster Pride, their hopes for visitors and new settlers, and customers, for thriving commerce and industry.”
—Daniel J. Boorstin (b. 1914)
“Science is facts. Just as houses are made of stones, so is science made of facts. But a pile of stones is not a house and a collection of facts is not necessarily science.”
—Jules Henri Poincare (1854–1912)
“Primitive peoples tried to annul death by portraying the human body—we do it by finding substitutes for the human body. Technology instead of mysticism!”
—Max Frisch (1911–1991)
“You must train the children to their studies in a playful manner, and without any air of constraint, with the further object of discerning more readily the natural bent of their respective characters.”
—Plato (c. 427–347 B.C.)