#STSMeetsEthics23

STS TÜRKİYE – METU UEAM : STS Meets Ethics Joint Conference

October 31 – November 2 2023

Date: 31 October – 02 November 2023

Venue: Middle East Technical University

Languages: English and Turkish

 

Grand challenges created by climate change, environmental degradation and the resulting natural disasters along with the growing energy crisis, immigration and pandemics, on the one hand, and the hype and fear around the rise of artificial intelligence applications like ChatGPT, biomedical advances and digitalization based on big data, on the other… In a world characterised by such global crises and rapid advancements in science and technology, it has now become inevitable to address these complex and multifaceted phenomena through an interdisciplinary approach.

Philosophy addresses these phenomena in an effort to make sense of them while simultaneously taking upon itself the task of inquiring how they ought to be developed. Like many social sciences and humanities, philosophy too increasingly contributes to the diversity of studies on technology and science, particularly from the point of view of ethics.  It is also crucial to acknowledge the significance of Science, Technology and Society / Science and Technology Studies (STS) which have been shaping our understanding of emerging technologies a great deal. STS has been at the forefront of highlighting the interconnectedness of society, science, and technology, emphasizing their mutual influence on one another. This perspective has prompted us to delve deeper into the intricate relationships between science, technology and society, inspiring new insights and innovative approaches.

As we navigate the complexities of these phenomena, philosophy and STS continue to play pivotal roles in guiding us towards a holistic understanding of the interactions between science, technology and society. By recognizing the dynamic interplay between these elements, we can better address the ethical, social and philosophical implications arising from technological and scientific advancements. In this sense, philosophy and STS not only enrich our intellectual pursuits but also empower us to shape a future that aligns technology with human needs, aspirations and values.

The conference “STS meets Ethics” jointly organised by METU Applied Ethics Research Center (UEAM), Science and Technology Policy Research Center (TEKPOL), Department of Philosophy and Turkish Scholarly Network for Science and Technology Studies (STS TÜRKİYE) and Bilkent University Faculty of Engineering welcomes any contributions inquiring the interconnectedness of science, technology, society and ethics. “STS Meets Ethics” thus aims to foster a more informed, ethical and responsible approach to the development of emerging technologies and their impact on society.

Conference topics include but are not limited to the following:

 

  •       Environment, Technology and Ethics

Environmental ethics; Sustainability; Green transformation and society; Science, technology and urban life; Multispecies ethnography; Agriculture and food ethics

 

  •       Digital Technologies and Society

Internet security, social media and big data; Artificial intelligence; Human rights in the information age; Information technologies and e-Government; Surveillance society and biopolitics; Human Machine Interaction

 

  •       Medicine, Technology and Society 

Medical ethics; Bioethics; Philosophy of biology; Transhumanism; Posthumanism; Stem cell, genetic modification, human enhancement; Reproductive technologies; Biopolitics; Food technologies; Biomedicalisation

 

  •       Responsible Research and Innovation

Design, technology and society; Participatory design; Responsible design; Social entrepreneurship and innovation; Science communication; Integrity in scientific research and technology development; Innovation management; Technology assessment; Defence industry; Academic performance metrics

 

  •       Culture and Identity under the Influence of Technology

Migration due to wars or climate events; Terror, war; Gender; Science, technology and feminism; Social media; Post-truth; Dis/Ability; Discrimination and inequality based on sexual orientation and ethnicity; Technology and psychology; Perception of technology in society

 

  •       Ethics, Aesthetics, Technology

Art, artisanship, and technology; Bioart and society; Digital arts; Science fiction literature and cinema; Aesthetics of technology

 

  •       Philosophy and History of Technology

Philosophy of technology; Evolution of technology; Social transformation and technology; Relationship between science and technology

Abstract submissions will be made via this Google Form link.

Abstracts should be a minimum of 400 words and a maximum of 600 words in Turkish or English. Abstracts will be evaluated through a double blind review.

Important dates for submission are listed below. For any issues related to the submission process or conference, you may send an e-mail to konferans@ststurkey.net in English or Turkish.

 

Deadline for abstract submission: September 10 (updated)

Announcement of reviewer evaluation results: September 22, 2023 (to be updated. authors will be informed in person.)

Deadline for speaker registration: October 6, 2023 (to be updated. authors will be informed in person.)

Announcement of the conference program: October 10, 2023

 

The conference will take place at Kültür ve Kongre Merkezi, Middle East Technical University. Online participation will not be provided throughout the program.

For the participation details, please follow the announcements on our social media accounts ( Twitter , Instagram and Facebook) via #stsmeetsethics hashtag.

 

Organizers and Supporters: METU Applied Ethics Research Center, Bilkent University, STS TÜRKİYE

STS Meets Ethics Conference has been announced. You can review the whole sessions here. Conference proceedings book is accessible here.

You can access detailed information below for all workshops that will be organized during the conference.

Related information is provided based on the language of the workshop. To register the workshops, please use this form.

 

WORLD CAFÉ: Post- ve Trans-Hüman Gelecekler: Yapay Zeka ile Yönlendirilen Bir Dünyada Toplumsal Zorluklar (31 October) – [cancelled due to infrastructure issue]

VIRT2UE Araştırma Etiği Eğitim Modülü – Erdemler ve Normlar Egzersizi (1 November)

Atlas.ti’nin Kullanımına Giriş: Nitel Araştırmada Temel Beceriler (1 November)

Case Analysis in Ethics Education (2 November)

Conference Organizing Committee

Halil Turan, Prof. Dr., METU Department of Philosophy, METU Applied Ethics Research Center

Gülizar Karahan Balya, Research Assistant, Dr., METU Applied Ethics Research Center

Büşra Akkökler Karatekeli, Research Assistant, Dr., METU Department of Philosophy

Sinan Şenel, METU Applied Ethics Research Center

Büke Temizler, PhD Candidate, METU Department of Philosophy

Berk Yaylım, Research Assistant, Dr., METU Department of Philosophy

 

Arsev Umur Aydınoğlu, Asst. Prof. Dr., METU, Science and Technology Policies Research Center

Şafak Kılıçtepe, Dr., Kırşehir Ahi Evran University, Department of Anthropology

Erkan Saka, Prof. Dr., Istanbul Bilgi University, Department of Communication Design and Management

Melike Şahinol, Dr., Max Weber Stiftung, Orient-Institut Istanbul

Emine Öncüler Yayalar, Dr., Bilkent University, Faculty of Engineering

İpek Altun, Instructor, Bilkent University, Department of Communication and Design

 

Scientific Committee

Ömer Faik Anlı, Assoc. Prof. Dr., Ankara University, Department of Philosophy

Semih Akçomak, Prof. Dr., METU, Science and Technology Policies Research Center

Arsev U. Aydınoğlu, Asst. Prof. Dr., METU, Science and Technology Policies Research Center

Murat Baç, Prof. Dr., METU, Department of Philosophy

Gülşah Başkavak, Dr., Max Weber Stiftung, Orient-Institut Istanbul

Fatin Cedden, Prof. Dr., Ankara University, Department of Animal Science

Erdal Cengiz, Prof. Dr., Ankara University, Department of Philosophy

Nesrin Çobanoğlu, Prof. Dr., Gazi University, Department of Basic Medical Sciences

Kurtuluş Dinçer, Prof. Dr., Hacettepe University, Department of Philosophy

Matthias Dörries, Prof. Dr., University of Strasbourg, Interdisciplinary Research Institute for Science and Technology, ESST

Stavros Drakopoulos, Prof. Dr., NKUA, Department of History and Philosophy of Science

Erkan Erdil, Prof. Dr., METU, Science and Technology Policy Studies

Giorgos Gotsis, Prof. Dr., NKUA, Department of History and Philosophy of Science

James Griffith, Asst. Prof. Dr., METU, Department of Philosophy

Nurbay Irmak, Assoc. Prof. Dr., Boğaziçi University, Department of Philosophy

Gürol Irzık, Prof. Dr., Sabancı University, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences

Ali O. İlhan, Instructor, University of Cincinnati, College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning

Ahmet İnam, Prof. Dr., METU, Department of Philosophy

Ceren Gülser İlikan Rasimoğlu, Asst. Prof. Dr., Acıbadem University, Department of Sociology

İnan Kalaycıoğulları, Assoc. Prof. Dr., Ankara University, Department of Philosophy

M. Volkan Kavas, Assoc. Prof. Dr., İzmir University of Economics, Faculty of Medicine

Harun Kaygan, Asst. Prof. Dr., University of Southern Denmark, Department of Design and Communication

Azer Kılıç, Asst. Prof. Dr., Istanbul Bilgi University, Department of Sociology

Şafak Kılıçtepe, Dr., Kırşehir Ahi Evran University, Department of Anthropology

Emre Koyuncu, Assoc. Prof. Dr., Ankara University, Department of Philosophy

Faik Kurtulmuş, Asst. Prof. Dr., Sabancı University, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences

Umut Morkoç, Research Assistant, Dr., Adıyaman University, Department of Sociology

Aslı Odman, Lecturer, Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University, Department of Urban and Regional Planning

Sibel Oktar Thomas, Asst. Prof. Dr., Özyeğin University, Department of Humanities and Social Sciences

Canan Özgen, Prof. Dr., METU, Department of Chemical Engineering

Vefa Saygın Öğütle, Prof. Dr., Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University, Department of Sociology

Nüket Örnek Büken, Prof. Dr., Hacettepe Bioethics Center

Onur Özgöde, Prof. Dr., University, Department of Political Science and Public Administration

Başak Ozan Özparlak, Asst. Prof. Dr., Özyeğin University, Department of Law

Teoman Pamukçu, Prof. Dr., METU, Science and Technology Policies Research Center

Barış Parkan, Assoc. Prof. Dr., METU, Department of Philosophy

Jan-Hendrik Passoth, Prof. Dr., European University Viadrina, European New School of Digital Studies

Erkan Saka, Prof. Dr., Istanbul Bilgi University, Department of Communication Design and Management

Manolis Simos, Dr., NKUA, Department of History and Philosophy of Science

Canan Sümer, Prof. Dr., Özyeğin University, Department of Psychology

Melike Şahinol, Dr., Max Weber Stiftung, Orient-Institut Istanbul

Cemal Taluğ, Prof. Dr., The Association of Agriculture and Food Ethics

Belgin Tekçe, Prof. Dr., Boğaziçi University, Department of Sociology

Harun Tepe, Prof. Dr., Hacettepe University, Department of Philosophy

Çağatay Topal, Assoc. Prof. Dr., METU, Department of Sociology

Ertuğrul Rufayi Turan, Prof. Dr., Ankara University, Department of Philosophy

Halil Turan, Prof. Dr., METU, Department of Philosophy

Aydan Turanlı, Prof. Dr., ITU, Department of Science, Technology and Society

Candan Türkkan, Asst. Prof. Dr., Özyeğin University, Department of Gastronomy and Culinary Arts

Aristotle Tympas, Prof. Dr., NKUA, Department of History and Philosophy of Science

Elif Vatanoğlu-Lutz, Prof. Dr., Yeditepe University, Department of Basic Medical Sciences

Özlem Yılmaz Silverman, Dr., University of Exeter, Department of Sociology, Philosophy and Anthropology

Saniye Vatansever, Assoc. Prof. Dr., Bilkent University, Department of Philosophy

Stelios Virvidakis, Prof. Dr., NKUA, Department of History and Philosophy of Science

Katerina Vlantoni, Dr., NKUA, Department of History and Philosophy of Science

Yasemin Yalım, Prof. Dr., Ankara University, Department of Basic Medical Sciences


STS Turkey Winter School 2022 List of Attendees

Attendees of the STS TURKEY Science, Technology and Society Winter School 2022, which will be held for the fourth time this year, have been announced. First of all, we appreciate all the interest and applications. We received a total of 58 applications. Congratulations to the students who are selected for the training. The applications were evaluated independently by five different referees. In this process, many parameters were taken into account. First of all, we paid attention to the fact that the study areas of the participants overlap with the STS field. Also, providing diversity in the attendee profile was also an important criterion for us. We aim to have students discuss their research in an interactive environment while benefiting from the courses. Accordingly, we keep the attendee list limited therefore we cannot accept the requests of attending only the section of courses.

The presentations will be held via Zoom between 23 - 25 February 2022 with the support of Istanbul Bilgi University. Program details and Zoom links will be sent to all attendees' e-mail addresses in the coming days.

As STS Turkey, we plan to continue the Science, Technology and Society training activities. You can follow the upcoming announcements on our website or social media (Twitter, Facebook) channels.

 

Lists of Attendees

Eren Can Yaşar

Hatice Özer

Berk Yıldız

Can Bayraktar

Ilgın İrem Gündüz

Ziya Kaya

Ahmet Furkan Üstün

Gaye Özpineci

Şeyhmus Baran Yetişmiş

Hasan Hüseyin Kayış

Güray Hatipoğlu

Ayşe Ayda Gerçek

Sude Boz

Akif Sarıyıldız

Hilmi Uysal

Beyza Nur Şengün

Serra Kervanoğlu

Tesnim Gülşen

Nisa A. Yılmaz

Selin Sezen

Mert Sarıkaya

Handenur Tosuncuk

Ümmühan Söylemez

İsmail Sizer

Beyza Atasever

Gözde Sevimli

İpek Altun

Ayse Darakci

Duygu Öksünlü


STS TURKEY Science, Technology and Society Winter School 2022

Organizers: STS TURKEY Coordination members (Erkan Saka, Emine Öncüler Yayalar, Melike Şahinol, Şafak Kılıçtepe, Arsev Umur Aydınoğlu, Ali O. İlhan)

 

Supporters: Istanbul Bilgi University, New Media and Communication Department

 

Location: Online

 

STS TURKEY Science and Technology Studies (STS) Research Network continues its efforts to increase the visibility and prevalence of the field of science and technology studies by encouraging research and education activities in our country. In order to convey theoretical frameworks, important concepts and related discussions of the STS field at an introductory level, the first STS TURKEY Winter School was held in Istanbul in January 2019 with the support of the Orient-Institut Istanbul. The second one was held in Ankara in January 2020 with the support of Bilkent University and METU Design Factory. And, the third STS Winter School was held online with the support of Istanbul Bilgi University New Media and Communications Department as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

The fourth STS TURKEY Science, Technology and Society Winter School, supported by Istanbul Bilgi University, will be held between February 23-25, 2022. During the three-day training, researchers and academics from different disciplines will give theoretical and method lessons related to the STS. Program will also include the discussion section of attendees' research topics.

Due to the current pandemic conditions, STS TURKEY Winter School 2022 will take place online. The application form will be open until February 14, 2022 for students who are interested in the training. Participation is free. You can access the relevant form via the link here: https://forms.gle/zbLa2oGtuiTuAV127

 

Students who are eligible to attend will be announced on our website on February 18, 2022. You can send your questions to us via info@ststurkey.net and you can find the course schedule and instructor list below.

 

*Courses will be held in English or Turkish, depending on the title of the course. / The lectures will be held in English or Turkish based on the title of the lecture.

 

23 Şubat, Çarşamba / 23 February, Wednesday

09:00–09:30 Tanışma / Get together

09:30–10:30 Algoritmalara antropolojik bir bakış – Erkan Saka (Doç. Dr., İstanbul Bilgi Üniversitesi)
10:30–11:30 STS Perspektifinden Cerrahi: Biyomedikalleşme ve Robotik Cerrahi  – Gülşah Başkavak (Dr., Orient-Institut Istanbul)
11:30–12:30 Büyük Veri ve Yapay Zeka Etiği – Yusuf Yüksekdağ (Dr. Öğr. Üyesi, İstanbul Bilgi Üniversitesi)

12:30–13:30 Öğle yemeği / Lunch

13:30–14:30 STS’de Niteliksel Yöntemler – Melike Şahinol (Dr., Orient-Institut Istanbul)
14:30–15:30 Energy Transition Problems as Exemplar STS Topics – İskender Gökalp (Prof. Dr., Orta Doğu Teknik Üniversitesi)

24 Şubat, Perşembe / 24 February, Thursday

9:30–10:30 Dreaming of freedom-machines: reflections on Rousseau, Foucault and STS – Eric Deibel (Öğr. Gör. Dr., Bilkent University)
10:30–11:30 İnsan-olmayanların failliği ve politika – Ebru Kayaalp Jurich (Doç. Dr., Yeditepe Üniversitesi)
11:30–12:30 Bilim ve Toplumsal Hareketler – Ali O. İlhan (Dr. Öğr. Üyesi, Özyeğin Üniversitesi)

12:30–13:30 Öğle yemeği / Lunch

13:30–14:30 Kapsayıcı Tasarım – Emine Öncüler Yayalar (Öğr. Gör. Dr., Bilkent Üniversitesi), Şafak Kılıçtepe (Öğr. Gör. Dr., Kırşehir Ahi Evran Üniversitesi)

14:30–15:30 Katılımcı sunumları ve tartışmalar / Participant presentations and discussion

25 Şubat, Cuma / 25 February, Friday

09:30–10:30 Yapay zeka, robotik ve hukuk – Başak Ozan Özparlak (Dr., Avukat)
10:30–11:30 Incorporating Publics and Stakeholders into Technological Decisions: Theory and Practice – Robin Ann Downey (Öğr. Gör. Dr., Bilkent University)
11:30-12:30 Bilim İletişimi – Arsev Umur Aydınoğlu (Dr. Öğr. Üyesi, Orta Doğu Teknik Üniversitesi)

12:30–13:30 Öğle yemeği / Lunch

13:30–14:30 Training computer vision algorithms on TV Series: Detecting conspiracies in Payitaht – Ivo Furman (Dr. Öğr. Üyesi, İstanbul Bilgi Üniversitesi), Mustafa Oğuzhan Çolak (Marie-Curie Fellow, Leiden Üniversitesi), Abdulkadir Albayrak (Dr. Öğr. Üyesi, Dicle Üniversitesi)

14:30–15:30 Katılımcı sunumları ve kapanış tartışmaları / Participant presentations and closing discussion

 


#STSTURKEY2021: Online Conference Reminders (Updated)

Following the latest consequences due to the pandemic, the upcoming STS TURKEY Conference is postponed. STS TURKEY Conference titled "Identity Construction as a Discipline" will take place online on 22-24 November 2021. The deadline for abstracts has been extended to July 31, 2021, by taking into account the current changes in our living conditions and participation requests as a result of the pandemic.

Submissions done in 2020 within the scope of the conference will also be evaluated. For this reason, we ask you to resend your paper to the e-mail address conference@ststurkey.net. (You can send them with the phrase "[STS TURKEY 2021 Special Session]" in the e-mail header.)

You can access further announcements (call text, registration information, etc.) specific to the STS TURKEY Conference, organized with the support of Ankara University Science and Social Studies Department, from the Turkish webpage.


STS Turkey Winter School 2021 List of Attendees

Attendees of STS TURKEY Science, Technology and Society Winter School 2021, which will be held for the third time this year, have been announced. First of all, we appreciate all the interest and applications. We received a total of 112 applications. The applications were evaluated independently by five different referees. Many parameters were taken into account in this process. First of all, we paid attention to the fact that the study areas of the attendees overlap with the STS field. Also, providing diversity in the attendee profile was also an important criterion for us. We aim to have students discuss their research in an interactive environment while benefiting from the courses. Accordingly, we keep the attendee list limited, therefore we cannot accept the requests of attending only the section of courses.

The presentations will be held via Zoom on February 3-5, 2021 with the support of BİLGİ Media. Program details and Zoom links will be sent to all attendees' e-mail addresses in the coming days.

As STS Turkey, we plan to continue the Science, Technology and Society trainings. You can follow the upcoming announcements on our website or social media (Twitter, Facebook) channels.

Lists of Attendees

Abdülkadir Pala

Ali Güney

Amine Ennur Aksoy

Asena Fulya Seyrekbasan

Burak Furkan Mermer

Büşra Eser

Dijan Özkurt

Dilay Merve Temur

Ebru Kaya

Esma Aslan

Esra Şekerci

Hilal Bal

Mehmet Yeğin

Melis Okay

Merve Dışbudak

Onur Canpolat

Saadet Tıkaç

Sinan Refik Akgün

Esra Atalay Tuna

Öznur Bayrak

Musa Acar

Ayşen Arıkazan

Birce Altın

Zübeyde Demircioğlu

İsmail Yiğit

İdil Kula

Gizem Çelik

Betül Gürtekin

Bahar Özdemir

Elif Büyükkeçeci


STS TURKEY Science, Technology and Society Winter School 2021

STS TURKEY Science and Technology Studies (STS) Research Network, continues its studies to increase visibility and prevalence of the field by encouraging research and education activities in the field of Science and Technology Studies in our country.

In order to convey the basic theoretical frameworks, important concepts and related discussions of the field of STS at an introductory level; ‘STS TURKEY Winter School’ was held for the first time in January 2019 with the support of Orient-Institut Istanbul, and for the second time in January 2020 with the support of Bilkent University and METU Design Factory in Ankara.

Supported by Istanbul Bilgi University, the third session of STS TURKEY Science, Technology and Society Winter School, will take place on February 3-5, 2021. During the three-day training, researchers and academicians from different disciplines will teach theory and method courses on STS. Half of the last day of the program will be devoted to the discussion of research topics of the participants.

Due to the current pandemic conditions, STS TURKEY Winter School 2021 will take place in online format. For students interested in the Winter School, where participation is free, the application form will be open until 15 January 2021. You can access the relevant form via the link here (in Turkish). Students who are eligible to participate will be announced on our website on January 20 2021. You can send your questions to us via info@ststurkey.net.

You can find the list of courses and instructors below. Please note that the lectures will be held in English or Turkish based on the title stated.

 

Algoritmalara Antropolojik bir Bakış
Erkan Saka, Doç. Dr., İstanbul Bilgi Üniversitesi

Feminist STS          
Şafak Kılıçtepe, Öğr. Gör. Dr., Kırşehir Ahi Evran Üniversitesi

Bilim, Teknoloji ve Uzmanlık Sorunsalı    
Emine Öncüler Yayalar, Öğr. Gr. Dr., Bilkent Üniversitesi

STS ve Sanat         
Ayşe Köksal, Doç. Dr., Özyegin Üniversitesi

Politics of Infrastructure       
Fiona Gedeon Achi, Research Assistant, McGill University

STS’de Niteliksel Yöntemler
Melike Şahinol, Dr., Orient-Institut Istanbul

Büyük Veri ve Yapay Zeka Etiği   
Yusuf Yüksekdağ, Dr. Öğr. Üyesi, İstanbul Bilgi Üniversitesi

Bilim ve Toplumsal Hareketler      
Ali Ilhan, Dr. Öğr. Üyesi, Özyegin Üniversitesi

İnsan-olmayanların Failliği ve Politika   
Ebru Kayaalp Jurich, Doç. Dr., Ankara Bilim Üniversitesi

Bilim İletişimi           
Arsev Umur Aydınoğlu, Dr. Öğr. Üyesi, Orta Doğu Teknik Üniversitesi

Veri tabanlı Sosyolojik Araştırmalar   
Ivo Furman, Dr. Öğr. Üyesi, İstanbul Bilgi Üniversitesi

Imagining Responsible Solutions for Emerging Technologies     
Robin Ann Downey, Dr., Bilkent University

Tıp ve Teknoloji
Gülşah Başkavak, Dr., Orient-Institut Istanbul

Yapay Zeka, Robotik ve Hukuk   
Başak Ozan Özparlak, Dr., Avukat,  Ozan&Ozan Hukuk Bürosu

Streaming of Freedom-Machines: Reflections on Rousseau, Foucault and STS 
Eric Deibel, Dr., Bilkent University


#STSTURKEY2020 Conference [CfP in Turkish]

We have been stabilizing the STS TURKEY platform for scientists, stakeholders, interested people and artists since 2017 (and actually even earlier) in order to advance the studies of science and technology in (Turkish) society.

This year we would like again to offer opportunities to share ideas, make connections, building a bridge between humanities and social sciences, and increase the visibility of STS related research in Turkey. On this occasion, we call for a high and active participation in our STS TURKEY 2020 conference, which will take place between October 14-16 2020 at Konya Science Center, Konya, Turkey; jointly organized by Ankara University the Department of Science and Society Studies, Konya Science Center and supported by STS TURKEY. This year's theme focuses on the identity construction of STS as a discipline taking into account epistemic circularity and self-reflexivity.

The deadline for abstract submissions (both proposals and posters) is 10 April 2020. Further details about the call for papers (Turkish) can be found

on this page.

 


STS Concepts and Terms Dictionary in Turkish

We happily announce that we are currently up and doing a STS Concepts and Terms Dictionary (English-Turkish). In order to make it as participatory as possible, we created a Google Group called "STS Turkey Sozluk", discussing each and every concept carefully and separately to be translated into Turkish. Our concrete aim is to have an online and possibly printed dictionary at the end.

If you would like to join to our discussion group, you can directly send a join request to "STS Turkey Sozluk" Google Group or send an email to ststurkeysozluk@gmail.com


STS TURKEY 2018 Conference 10.-11.09.2018

STS TURKEY 2018 Conference will take place at the Middle East Technical University, Ankara, Turkey, on 10-11 September 2018; jointly organized by METU Science and Technology Policy Studies and METU Industrial Design, supported by Orient-Institut Istanbul.

Conference will be in Turkish.

For more information please visit the Turkish conference site at ststurkey.net/ststurkey2018.

 


Information about the STS TURKEY founding meeting

STS TURKEY founding meeting report (for related publications see: Şahinol, M., Aydınoğlu, A., & Kaygan, H. (2018). STS (in) Turkey as Extitution. EASST Review, 37(1).)

STS TURKEY’s founding meeting was held on 3–4 October 2017 in Istanbul, hosted by the Orient-Institute Istanbul, Turkey. The goal of the meeting was, first, to introduce scholars who are interested in STS in Turkey to each other, and secondly, to start constructing a common vision and road map that is based on the participants’ current scholarly interests.

In total, there were more than 46 participants of the event, of whom about 15 were graduate students. The rest comprised of scholars, independent researchers and NGO representatives. Represented areas included Science and Technology Studies, Medicine, Sociology, Anthropology, Philosophy of Science, History of Science and Technology, Engineering, Industrial Design, Science Communication, Law and the Life Sciences (“biolaw”).

First Day, 3 Oct

The meeting started with Dr. Melike Şahinol’s opening speech. She provided the audience with the details of how the core group got together, built their vision, and organized the meeting. Şahinol thanked EASST for the funding, the Orient-Institute Istanbul for the support and many others who supported the founding of STS TURKEY (e.g. Harvard STS, especially Prof. Sheila Jasanoff for providing the first podcast message to STS TURKEY, STS-CH, DASTS, de-STS, etc.). She also mentioned that STS TURKEY already has several social media channels where one can keep up to date with news and activities (http://ststurkey.net, facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ststurkey/, twitter: https://twitter.com/STS_Turkey, youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGOQGkzklf4arKB-CEQ_EEA/videos) and reported the actual number of members. Afterwards, Dr. Aydınoğlu shared the agenda with the participants. Followed by 3-minute introductions by all participants in the room, even at this point the diversity of the group was highlighted, including interests as diverse as history of science, ethical and legal issues, medicine and biology, among others.

In the following session, the academic programs in Turkey that are relevant to broader STS topics were introduced by their department heads. Prof. Dr. Melek Dosay Gökdoğan talked about the newly established Science and Society Studies Master’s Program at Ankara University. Prof. Dr. Aydan Turanlı of Istanbul Technical University introduced their Science, Technology, and Society Master’s Program. The History of Medicine and Ethics Program (undergraduate and graduate) of Acıbadem University was presented by Prof. Yeşim Işıl Ülman. Lastly, Prof. Dr. Feza Günergun, presented activities and studies in history of science and technolog at Istanbul University’s Department of the History of Science. Each presentation was followed by a Q&A session. The overall session was followed by a plenary discussion on the problems of academic programs in Turkey.

The afternoon session was topical. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Rainer Brömer (Medicine Faculty, Istanbul University) discussed the differences between Science and Technology Studies and Science, Technology, and Society, how to handle translations to Turkish in STS and the importance of building a medical terminology in Turkish. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hakan Ertin’s (Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University) presentation focused on the resistance of medical staff to collaborate with the STS community, and translation and academic publishing issues, especially in medical ethics. Prof. Yücel Sayman from Istanbul Medipol University made a provocative speech focusing on the relationships between law and life sciences, especially law and medicine. The categorical distinctions between, for example, person and thing, also with regards to biomedical hybrids was a core issue. Dr. Melike Şahinol (“Human, Medicine and Society”, Orient-Institute Istanbul) briefly presented her research projects on Human Enhancement, Assisted Reproduction Technology and Enabling Technologies. She pointed out, that challenges and consequences due to actual developments in S&T, are hardly approached in Turkey. Therefore, there is a need to analyse these developments and interactions between science, technology, medicine and society in particular in relation to the historical and cultural contexts. Finally, Zeynep Karagöz (designer, pro-maker) introduced her “Robotel” (turkish: robot hand) initiative, which works with volunteers to provide 3D printed rapid-prototype prostheses to young children. Robotel Türkiye is also part of the worldwide network “e-NABLE” and follows its motto: “Enabling the Future – Giving the World a Helping Hand.”

The first day was closed with a discussion session, which provided the participants with topics to discuss in small groups for the second day of the meeting. The outstanding issues that came up during the presentations and the Q&A sessions consisted of the following: institutionalization of STS in Turkey, issues of funding and academic legislation, and the need for catalogues and shared databases (such as news, paper repositories, dictionaries, etc.) as well as dedicated conferences and journals.

The first day ended with a joint dinner of the lecturers and organizers.

Second day, 4 Oct

The second day started with an overview of the first day by Asst. Prof. Dr. Harun Kaygan. Following a heated discussion on the purpose of the kick-off meeting itself, participants gathered in two meeting rooms; one dedicated on issues of vision and terminology, the other on preparing a road map. The sessions and a concluding session had the following short-term plans established, listed by date of expected accomplishment:

  • Preparing an e-mail group following the meeting to facilitate planning and overall communication
  • Preparation of a thematic session for EASST conference in Lancaster, due 1 November
  • Improvement of the STS TURKEY website to include links to news of events and publications, as well as related university programs and persons
  • Reading groups for key STS literature in the following months to help graduate students and interested scholars
  • An STS research methods in action podcast in Turkish in the following months to help graduate students
  • An STS glossary in Turkish in the following months to help establish and disseminate a Turkish vocabulary of key terminology
  • Organizing a second meeting in September-October 2018 in Ankara in Middle East Technical University, possibly including a small conference and interest group meetings
  • An STS journal, possibly bilingual, to be discussed further by a smaller group of potential co-editors

The participants have thought about setting up an association. As a result of the discussions, it was agreed that STS TURKEY would be continued as a self-organized network, depending on the efforts of its members (currently 75). It was decided that an annually changing core team could organize future annual meetings. It was agreed, that 2018 the annual meeting will take place at Middle Eastern Technical University, Ankara and will be mainly organized by Arsev Aydınoğlu, Harun Kaygan (in collaboration with the Orient-Institute, Melike Şahinol).

The main founders, namely Melike Şahinol, Arsev Aydınoğlu and Harun Kaygan, will be responsible for the coordination of STS TURKEY until an association is set up. They deal with correspondence, handle and distribute organizational tasks, and are responsible for managing the agenda. Activities, updates and further information will be provided via newsletter and social network channels.

Conclusion

The STS TURKEY founding meeting was a successful start of establishing a Turkish network among researchers with interests in the study of science, technology and medicine in society. This was the first event of this national and international significance with an STS orientation in Turkey. The event itself gave an excellent insight into the current scientific programs and discourses on very different aspects of Science, Technology and Society in Turkey. Every participant had the opportunity to present his or her research and interests related to STS. Finally, the participants have indicated a common vision and road map that is based on their current scholarly interests.

First steps were taken to improve scholarly communication and exchange in the field in Turkey, to facilitate contact amongst scholars, to promote STS in Turkey by organizing conferences, to increase the visibility and diffusion of STS approach in Turkey; to stimulate and support teaching on the subject at all levels, to aid in the development of STS-related skills amongst researchers and PhD candidates, including theoretical knowledge and methodological knowhow.

With this STS TURKEY founding meeting, which completes the preexisting Mission Statement of STS TURKEY as specified on the website, the network has now determined its structures. STS TURKEY represents the Turkish STS community at the national and international level. It further promotes reflection on the ever-increasing importance of science and technology in our society by encouraging a dialog between the social and natural sciences and also between scientists and society. The main founders are confident, that this meeting marks the beginning of a constructive dialogue between everyone studying or interested in Science, Technology and Society of Turkey.

Dr. Melike Şahinol (Orient-Institut Istanbul, sahinol@oiist.org), Dr. Arsev Umur Aydınoğlu (Middle East Technical University, Ankara, arsevu@gmail.com), Asst. Prof. Dr. Harun Kaygan (Middle East Technical University, Ankara, hkaygan@metu.edu.tr)

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