UCL STS Seminar series: Milena Ivanova

Abstract

Scientific products are often celebrated for their aesthetic dimension and compared to works of art. Scientists themselves, like artists, are praised for their creativity, originality and aesthetic sensibility. In this talk I explore the aesthetic dimension of scientific experiments, from experiments performed in the early years of the Royal Society, to contemporary experiments involving complex technologies and set ups, and ask: what makes an experiment beautiful? By focusing on historical case studies as well as qualitative data collected from interviewing over 200 contemporary scientists, I identify what is aesthetically valued in the lab and the role beauty plays in experimental practice.