SOCIAL STUDIES OF SCIENCE

Scope & Guideline

Fostering Understanding of Science's Societal Impact

Introduction

Welcome to the SOCIAL STUDIES OF SCIENCE information hub, where our guidelines provide a wealth of knowledge about the journal’s focus and academic contributions. This page includes an extensive look at the aims and scope of SOCIAL STUDIES OF SCIENCE, highlighting trending and emerging areas of study. We also examine declining topics to offer insight into academic interest shifts. Our curated list of highly cited topics and recent publications is part of our effort to guide scholars, using these guidelines to stay ahead in their research endeavors.
LanguageEnglish
ISSN0306-3127
PublisherSAGE PUBLICATIONS LTD
Support Open AccessNo
CountryUnited Kingdom
TypeJournal
Convergefrom 1971 to 2024
AbbreviationSOC STUD SCI / Soc. Stud. Sci.
Frequency6 issues/year
Time To First Decision-
Time To Acceptance-
Acceptance Rate-
Home Page-
Address1 OLIVERS YARD, 55 CITY ROAD, LONDON EC1Y 1SP, ENGLAND

Aims and Scopes

The journal 'Social Studies of Science' serves as an interdisciplinary platform that critically examines the interactions between science, technology, and society. It aims to explore how scientific knowledge and technological innovations are constructed, negotiated, and contested within various socio-political contexts.
  1. Sociotechnical Imaginaries:
    The journal emphasizes the concept of sociotechnical imaginaries, exploring how collective visions shape and are shaped by societal values, technological practices, and scientific advancements.
  2. Governance and Policy Analysis:
    A core focus is on the governance of science and technology, analyzing how policies are formed, implemented, and contested, particularly in areas like health, environment, and security.
  3. Public Engagement with Science:
    The journal examines the role of public participation and lay expertise in scientific processes, highlighting how communities engage with scientific knowledge and technology.
  4. Critical Perspectives on Innovation:
    There is a consistent focus on the implications of innovation, particularly how new technologies affect social structures, power dynamics, and ethical considerations.
  5. Historical and Cultural Analysis:
    The journal also engages with historical and cultural studies of science, investigating how past events and cultural narratives influence current scientific practices and technological developments.
Recent publications in 'Social Studies of Science' reveal several emerging themes that reflect current societal challenges and advancements in technology. These trends indicate a shift towards more interdisciplinary and critical approaches to understanding science and technology.
  1. Health Innovations and Biopolitics:
    An increasing focus on health innovations, particularly in the context of precision medicine and public health governance, highlights the intersection of technology, ethics, and individual rights.
  2. Digital and Data Governance:
    The rise of data-driven technologies has led to a growing body of work on digital governance, privacy concerns, and the implications of big data in various societal contexts.
  3. Environmental Sustainability and Technoscience:
    Emerging themes related to environmental governance and sustainable technologies reflect a heightened awareness of ecological crises and the role of science in addressing these challenges.
  4. Ethics and Responsibility in Technology:
    There is a marked increase in discussions regarding the ethical implications of emerging technologies, particularly in AI and biotechnology, emphasizing the need for responsible innovation.
  5. Indigenous Knowledge and Decolonization:
    Recent publications are increasingly engaging with Indigenous knowledge systems and the politics of decolonization, reflecting a broader commitment to inclusivity and diverse epistemologies in the study of science and technology.

Declining or Waning

While 'Social Studies of Science' continues to evolve, certain themes have shown signs of decline in prominence. This may reflect shifting priorities in research interests or changes in the socio-political landscape.
  1. Traditional Science Communication:
    There has been a noticeable decline in papers focused on traditional science communication strategies, as the field moves towards more nuanced examinations of public engagement and participatory approaches.
  2. Purely Theoretical Frameworks:
    Papers relying solely on theoretical frameworks without empirical grounding have become less frequent, indicating a trend towards more applied research that addresses real-world issues.
  3. Historical Analysis of Established Scientific Disciplines:
    While historical perspectives remain relevant, there is less emphasis on the histories of well-established scientific disciplines, as contemporary issues and emerging technologies take precedence.

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