SVT 25th Anniversary

 The SVT was established in 1987 as a permanent institute, with standard obligations in research, teaching, popularization and dissemination. Due to the definition of ‘vitskapsteori’, the academic profile of the SVT differs from that of ‘science studies’ in the Anglo-American sense: all university disciplines are included as “research objects”. The research profile of the SVT is broad, with a focus on critical reflection over the science-society relationship and the ethical and societal aspects of science and technology. On the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the SVT, we arranged a two-day celebratory symposium. The topics for the two seminars reflect some of the research interests of our Centre.

Science and Religion

This seminar was dedicated to a discussion of the topic “Science and Religion”, the term ‘science’ here understood in a wide sense like the Norwegian “vitenskap” or the German “Wissenschaft”. The speakers addressed questions like: Has science taken over the role of religion? What is the relationship between science and religion in our times? Do science and religion represent a multiplicity of rationalities? To what extent are the relations between science and religion dependent upon different cultural framings?

Speakers

Barbara Drossel, Professor at Institute for Condensed Matter Physics, Technical University of Darmstadt. "Has Science Taken Over the Role of Religion?"

Nils Gilje, Professor at Dept. of Archeology, History, Cultural Studies and Religion, University of Bergen. ”Religion, Politics and Secularism in the Political Program of Johan Sverdrup in the 1880s”

Michael Reiss, Professor at Institute of Education, University of London; Chief Executive at Science Learning Centre London.  “What Should Be the Role of Religion in Science Education and Bioethics?” 

Gunnar Skirbekk, Professor emeritus at Centre for the Study of the Sciences and the Humanities (SVT), University of Bergen. “Monotheism in Modern Science-based Societies?” 

Jan Helge Solbakk, Professor at Centre for Medical Ethics, University of Oslo. ”The Future of Religious Bioethics” 

Knut-Willy Sæther, Associate Professor at Department of Religious Studies, Volda University College. “How to Relate Science and Religion?” 

Science in Society. Crossroads and Challenges

The theme indicates the need every once in a while to look back, re-orient oneself and define new pathways and goals for the future. Established STS scholars have taken a number of “insights” as granted, yet younger scholars now start to ask new questions about them. As suggested by Delgado, Kjølberg and Wickson (2011), what was once the solution may now be the problem. On the occasion of the 25^th anniversary of SVT, our panel of younger scholars provided a daring look into the future of STS studies, and critically analyzed the continued utility of some of the established wisdoms of STS. This seminar closed with a panel discussion.

Speakers:

Sondre Båtstrand, PhD Candidate at Dept. of Comparative Politics, University of Bergen. "Political activist and political scientist" 

Kamilla Kjølberg, PhD, Researcher at the University College, Oslo and Akershus. "Responibilities and roundabouts"

Lars Nyre, Associate Professor at Dept. of Information Science and Media Studies, University of Bergen. "Normative Media Research. Moving from the Ivory Tower to the Control Tower" 

Kjetil Rommetveit, Associate Professor at Centre for the Study of the Sciences and the Humanities (SVT), University of Bergen. “Beyond ELSA: what now for critical engagements with science and technology?”

Fern Wickson, PhD, Researcher at GenØk, Centre for Biosafety, University of Tromsø. "Everywhere but here. The start of a circle. Talking with those who aren't speaking"