Episode #9: Andy Stirling

Conversations in Anthropology

Our ninth episode comes from a conversation recorded at the 'A Crisis of Expertise?' symposium at the University of Melbourne. At the symposium, Tim caught up with Andy Stirling (SPRU, Sussex) and Matthew Kearnes (UNSW) to talk about 'policy-engaged research', policy expertise, and activism in the boardroom. Andy Stirling is Professor of Science and Technology Policy at Sussex University. He has a background in the natural sciences, a master's degree in archaeology and social anthropology and a D.Phil in science and technology policy. Formerly a board member of Greenpeace International, Andy has worked in collaboration with a diverse range of organisations. His research interests include technological risk, innovation policy, scientific uncertainty and public involvement in decision-making, and he has been involved in developing some participatory appraisal methods. Associate Professor Matthew Kearnes is a member of the Environmental Humanities group, in the School of Humanities & Languages at UNSW. Matthew's research is situated between the fields of Science and Technology Studies (STS), human geography and contemporary social theory. His current work is focused on the social and political dimensions of nanotechnology and synthetic biology, climate change and society, and the social and political dimensions of climate modification and geoengineering. Some follow-up reading: Stirling A. (2014) Transforming power: Social science and the politics of energy choices. Energy Research & Social Science 1: 83-95. Stirling A. (2008) “Opening up” and “closing down” power, participation, and pluralism in the social appraisal of technology. Science, Technology, & Human Values 33: 262-294.