Expanding STS: Art, Science, and Technology Studies (ASTS) – Hannah Star Rogers

Abstract:

Art and science are all around us: in the academy, in galleries, and in the news. How do we make sense of the power that these two categories hold in our society? And is this process new? In this lecture, Rogers explores how the tools of Science and Technology Studies (STS) can provide critical insights into art and science projects, highlighting the practices of these knowledge-making communities as discussed in her book Art, Science, and the Politics of Knowledge (MIT Press, 2022). Rogers’ work challenges the idea that art and science are inherently separate or incompatible. Instead, she suggests that these fields are better understood as knowledge communities that are constantly negotiating, shaping, and blurring their boundaries. This approach reframes how we think about the roles of art and science in society, and it also points to a new subdiscipline—Art, Science, and Technology Studies (ASTS)—which blends the insights of both fields to explore their interconnectedness. This framework can deepen our understanding of how these disciplines shape social worlds. By examining artistic practices through the lens of STS and showing how art can inform STS inquiry, Rogers highlights a dynamic and evolving relationship between science and art. This approach invites us to think beyond the traditional categories and consider the fluidity of knowledge production, where the boundaries of art and science are constantly in flux, influenced by politics, culture, and technological advances.

This event is part of our summer semester 2025 lecture series Expanding Science and Technology Studies.

To take part either online or in presence, please register with events@khk.rwth-aachen.de.