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:
“In the great department store of life, baseball is the toy department.”
—Los Angeles Sportscaster. quoted in Independent Magazine (London, Sept. 28, 1991)
“Everything in science depends on what one calls an aperçu, on becoming aware of what is at the bottom of the phenomena. Such becoming aware is infinitely fertile.”
—Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe (1749–1832)
“Technology is not an image of the world but a way of operating on reality. The nihilism of technology lies not only in the fact that it is the most perfect expression of the will to power ... but also in the fact that it lacks meaning.”
—Octavio Paz (b. 1914)
“What happiness did poor Mother’s studies bring her? It is the melancholy tendency of such studies to separate people from their friends and neighbors and fellow creatures in whom alone lies one’s happiness.”
—Mary Potter Playne (c. 1850–?)