UCL Department of Science and Technology Studies

• home
• people
• staff websites
• admissions
• current students
• our research
  • research concentrations
  • reading groups
  • seminar series
  • conferences and workshops
  • STS Observatory
  • STS Occasional Papers
• conferences, workshops
• vacancies
• news
• calendar
• contact STS

Research activities in STS

This page provides information on engagement activities within the department designed for audiences of academics in our fields and related subjects.

Research events

• seminar series (3x) (link)
• conferences and workshops run in the department (link)
• reading groups in the department (link)
• publications by STS staff (link)
• STS staff websites (link)
• STS Occasional Papers series (link)
• STS news (link)

Research concentrations

Most research in STS falls under one of three research concentrations:

• History of 20th and 21st Century Science and Science Policy
• Policy, Governance and Engagement
• Integrated History and Philosophy of Science

More information (link)

Current research activities cover all aspects of the department: history of science, including ancient science and the history of ‘popular’ science; philosophy of science, including the nature of experimental evidence and research ethics; science policy, including biological warfare control, and the role of volunteers; science communication and “public understanding of science”, including multinational comparisons of PUS activities.

Traditionally, much research in the areas covered by STS has been based on individual endeavour, with staff members making use of the time available to them for this activity. This way of working continues to be extremely important and valued within the department.

Academic journals

STS is home to two world-class academic journals:

• British Journal for the History of Science
  Agar, Jon (editor)
• British Journal for the Philosophy of Science
  Massimi, Michela (co-editor)

STS staff also serve on editorial boards for many other journals.

2008 Research assessment exercise (RAE)

Current research activities cover all aspects of the department: history of science, including ancient science and the history of ‘popular’ science; philosophy of science, including the nature of experimental evidence and research ethics; science policy, including biological warfare control, and the role of volunteers; science communication and “public understanding of science”, including multinational comparisons of PUS activities. This research gives the Department significant visibility in the relevant communities, nationally and internationally. 

Traditionally, much research in the areas covered by STS has been based on individual endeavour, with staff members making use of the time available to them for this activity. This way of working continues to be extremely important and valued within the department.  

In the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) the staff in the department were entered with the Department of Philosophy and Department of History (also including the UCL Wellcome Trust Centre for History of Medicine) 

The Philosophy panel classified 45% of the UCL Philosophy research as ‘world-leading’ (4*), plus a further 30% as ‘internationally excellent’ (3*) and a further 20% as ‘internationally recognised’ (2*).  This result put it among the top philosophy departments in the country for research.

The History panel classified 40% of the UCL History research as ‘world-leading’ (4*), plus a further 25% as ‘internationally excellent’ (3*) and a further 25% as ‘internationally recognised’ (2*). 40% in the 4* category was the highest score awarded by the History panel, and only two other departments achieved it.

---

Department of Science and Technology Studies, UCL
0207 679 1328 office | +44 207 679 1328 international
sts@ucl.ac.uk | www.ucl.ac.uk/sts
postal address:  Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT | UK
street address: 22 Gordon Square, London, WC1E 6BT | maps