The workshop aims to provide a welcoming space for young researchers of all disciplinary backgrounds who are interested in the study of science and technology in France. The workshop offers a forum for discussion based on group readings, fundamental concept discussions, and STS writing practices.
The workshop is organized around two primary activities:
Collective Reading and Analysis (Exploration /Arpentage)
Most sessions involve exploring a reference text or recent publication in the field of Science and Technology Studies (STS). This approach begins with dividing a book or collection of articles into equal parts to facilitate collective exploration. During the first part of the session, participants read and take notes on different topics, such as theoretical concepts and arguments, links to their research, empirical examples, and questions or points of confusion. In the second part of the session, these notes are shared to build a collective understanding and deepen the discussion around the text and key concepts in the field of STS.
Writing in the Humanities and Social Sciences
One to two sessions per year are dedicated to discussing scientific writing practices:
– Presenting research findings to respondents or peers.
– Writing an ethnographic text and constructing a scientific narrative.
Workshop Organizers and Facilitators
Aurélien Béranger – PhD Candidate, Laboratoire Costech, Université de Technologie de Compiègne.
Email: aurelien.beranger@utc.fr
Alexia Pronesti – PhD Candidate, GSPR & Cermes3, EHESS.
Email: alexia.pronesti@ehess.fr
Solène Sarnowski – PhD Candidate, Centre de Sociologie de l’Innovation (CSI), Mines Paris & Télécom-Paris, Institut Polytechnique de Paris, NOS.
Email: solene.sarnowski@minesparis.psl.eu
Dorian Groll – PhD Candidate, Centre Maurice Halbwachs, CAK.
Email: dorian.groll@ens.psl.eu
2025-2026 Program
October 3, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
Selected chapters from the collective book DigitalSTS : A Field Guide for Science & Technology Studies, Janet Vertesi & David Ribes (Eds.) (Arpentage)
October 23, 2 p.m.-6 p.m.
Modest_Witness@Second_Millennium. FemaleMan_Meets_OncoMouse: Feminism and Technoscience, Donna J. Haraway (Arpentage)
November 14, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
Politique de la nature. Comment faire entrer les sciences en démocratie, Bruno Latour (Arpentage)
December 11, 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Notre nouvelle nature : Guide de terrain de l’Anthropocène, Anna L. Tsing et al. (Arpentage)
January 16, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Textes choisis sur l’expertise profane (Arpentage)
February 11, 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
La baleine et le réacteur. À la recherche des limites au temps des hautes technologies, Langdon Winner (Arpentage)
March 16, 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Voir les savoirs. Lieux, objets et gestes de la science, Jérôme Lamy (Arpentage)
April 16, 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
The introduction to a thesis in STS (Writing)
June 1, 9 a.m.–1 p.m. (Program to be confirmed).
Seminar Details
Seminar details, which will be specified in each email, are as follows:
– In-person in Paris at different locations to discover each other’s laboratories and universities
– Half-day sessions (four hours, including a snack break)
– Two types of sessions: Reading Workshop: Theory, Concepts, Methodology and Writing Workshop: Analysis, Writing, Fieldwork
– No work is required beforehand. Reading is done on site collectively using methods such as arpentage, which explains the extended duration of the sessions.
– A friendly atmosphere: we suggest sharing a meal after each session.