CALL FOR APPLICATIONS
SITUATING SCIENCE SUMMER SCHOOL 2014:
SCIENCE IN HUMAN CONTEXTS
(www.SituSci.ca)
June 22-26 2014
Elbow Lake, Ontario, Canada
Deadline for applications:
Monday, April 14, 2014
Organizer
Sergio Sismondo, Professor of Philosophy and Sociology, Queen’s University
Coordination Assistance
Emily Tector, Project Coordinator, Situating Science
Description:
Applications from students across Canada and across humanities and social science disciplines are invited for this 5-day summer school, which will provide advanced training in the fields of History and Philosophy of Science (HPS) and Science and Technology Studies (STS) in a picturesque retreat near Kingston, Ontario. The seminar is an excellent opportunity for graduate students interested in learning about general issues and key areas in these fields.
The event is supported by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC)-funded Situating Science Strategic Knowledge Cluster, a national network connecting and promoting the humanities and social studies of science and technology. Headquartered at the University of King’s College, the project has partners and “nodes” across the country. The week will address each of the four themes of the Situating Science Cluster:
1 - Historical Epistemology and Ontology
2 - Material Culture and Scientific/Technological Practices
3 - Scientific Communication and its Publics
4 - Geography and Sites of Knowing
Program and Faculty:
Each of the four full days will be split among:
(a) Background sessions led by Sergio Sismondo
(b) Sessions on one of themes above, led by a visiting faculty member with recognized expertise in the theme, and
(c) Sessions devoted to student research projects.
There will be plenty of opportunities for interaction and participation. The seminar will be held in English, and readings will be circulated in advance.
Special events such as a film showing and an excursion will be organized to complement session content. We are currently considering including a trip to either the Miller Museum of Geology or the Queen’s University Department of Physics instruments collection. There also will be swimming and hiking opportunities.
Selection Criteria:
We hope to recruit outstanding young scholars from across Canada. Although applications are open to all, we will prioritize applications from graduate students in disciplines other than HPS or STS, and from Canadian institutions with small or non-existent HPS or STS programs, so that the summer school can offer a rich educational experience for those new to the field.
Location and Accommodations:
The seminar will be held at the Elbow Lake Nature Conservancy of Canada Reserve (http://www.queensu.ca/qubs/about/facilities/elbow-2.html), a rustic retreat facility near Kingston, Ontario affiliated with the Queen’s University Biological Station. Students will be housed in shared cabins and will be expected to help with some meal preparation. The space is not wheelchair accessible. We will arrange transportation to and from Kingston, Ontario.
Financial Coverage:
Student accommodations and meals during the summer school will be paid for by the Situating Science Cluster, as will most if not all of economy class budget-friendly travel. More information will be made available with acceptance letters.
Timeline:
Deadline for applications: Monday, April 14, 2014
Notification of acceptance: Week of April 21, 2014
Deadline for registration forms: Monday, May 5, 2014
Procedure:
Applications should include the following, preferably sent as PDFs:
1. Description of research interests and relevance to them of the seminar (max. 300 words)
2. Brief Curriculum Vitae / resume highlighting relevant skills, experience and training,
3. One signed letter of recommendation from a supervisor, director of graduate studies, or other faculty member familiar with applicant’s research interests.
Applications should be sent to:
Sergio Sismondo: sismondo[@]queensu.ca
with a copy to
Emily Tector: situsci[@]dal.ca
