Care in context: Becoming an STS researcher

Area of Science:

• Science and Technology Studies (STS)
• Sociology of Science
• Ethics in Research

Background:

• The concept of 'care' is central to understanding the social and ethical dimensions of technoscience.
• Graduate students often encounter practical and theoretical challenges in defining and applying 'care' within their research.
• Existing frameworks may not fully capture the nuanced realities of care in contemporary scientific and technological contexts.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine how graduate students grapple with the concept of care in their science and technology studies (STS) research.
• To identify specific instances and challenges related to care within everyday research practices.
• To explore the implications of these reflections for the future of STS scholarship.

Main Methods:

• Collaborative writing among graduate students from the Politics of Care in Technoscience Workshop.
• Analysis of five specific moments where care emerged as a significant issue in their research.
• Qualitative reflection on personal research experiences and the definition of care.

Main Results:

• Care is not a singular or easily defined concept in technoscience research; it is often characterized by ambivalence, tension, and puzzlement.
• Multiple, sometimes conflicting, forms and definitions of care were identified within diverse research contexts.
• The process of reflecting on care, despite its complexities, offers valuable insights for researchers.

Conclusions:

• Acknowledging and reflecting on the multifaceted nature of care is crucial for advancing STS.
• Scholars in science and technology studies can enrich their research practices by engaging with the complexities of care.
• Further exploration of care's role in technoscience can lead to more ethical and responsive research.