Prof Steve Yearley - SPS COP26
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Steve Yearley is Professor of the Sociology of Scientific Knowledge in Science, Technology and Innovation Studies, and Director of the Institute for Advanced Studies in the Humanities.
Steve is well known for his work in social studies of science and in environmental sociology. He is particularly concerned with areas where these specialisms overlap: for example in environmental controversies with a pronounced scientific element (such as with recent disputes over the safety or otherwise of GMOs and the emerging concerns around synthetic biology) or, for example, in attempts to foster public engagement in technical decision-making in environmental areas (for instance, through his work on citizen engagement in urban air-quality issues).
Decarbonising the foundation industries
He is currently working on an Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund (ISCF) project on decarbonising the foundation industries (the industries – including cement, glass, ceramics, paper, metals and bulk chemicals – that supply the basic materials from which other products are made). This ISCF challenge will develop innovative technology to reduce energy and resource use within the foundation industries and examine the socio-economic and environmental contexts of these changes.