Science, Technology and Innovation Studies

Science and technology - part of everyday life with an impact on all aspects of society. That's where we come in...

We seek to answer the big questions about how societies both influence and are influenced by science, medicine and technology.

Our department has an international reputation as a leading centre of excellence in science and technology studies, established through the legacies of the Science Studies Unit and the Research Centre for Social Sciences.

About

Since the founding of the department in 1966, we offer a unique interdisciplinary environment in which we address vital questions about the world we live in.

Programmes

We offer a diverse, innovative and exciting range of undergraduate courses and postgraduate taught and research opportunities.

Research

We produce innovative and interdisciplinary research and deliver public policy advice and consultancy on the socio-economic implications of technology and innovation.

People

Find out more about the whole team: the academic staff and their research interests, PhD students and their thesis subjects, and the professional services colleagues who keep it all in working order.

News

See the latest news updates from Science, Technology and Innovation Studies.

Contact

We are based at High School Yards, a 5-10 minute walk from George Square: a lively and vibrant hub (especially in August during the Festival Fringe).

12/05/2022

Science, Technology and Innovation Studies

REF 2021: Sociology, including Science, Technology and Innovation Studies (STIS), at the University of Edinburgh

The results of the REF 2021 exercise demonstrated that our Sociology and STIS subject areas are excelling. Our submission was ranked top in the UK by Research Professional for the overall quality and breadth of our research.

18/04/2022

Science, Technology and Innovation Studies

‘World class’ toolkit created by SPS team to facilitate AHSS integration and interdisciplinarity

Professor Catherine Lyall and Dr Isabel Fletcher from the School of Social and Political Science have played an instrumental role in the creation of a web-based toolkit to support the integration of the arts, humanities and social sciences in collaborative projects.

11/01/2022

Science, Technology and Innovation Studies

Energy expert to advise Scottish Government on fuel poverty

Dr Kirsten Jenkins of the School of Social and Political Science has become a member of the Scottish Government’s new Scottish Fuel Poverty Advisory Panel, helping to tackle fuel poverty in Scotland.

17/12/2021

Science, Technology and Innovation Studies

New research hub to transform foundation industries

Edinburgh researchers have joined a research consortium examining how the foundation industries - chemicals, cement, ceramics, glass, metals and paper – can prosper and develop while helping achieve the UK’s Net Zero 2050 environmental targets.

29 June 2022

11:30 - 13:00

Politics and International Relations (PIR)

Precautionary principle and Covid-19 governance in Scotland

SKAPE will host an exploratory seminar with presenters Deval Desai (Law), Pedro Cisterna (Law) and Sotiria Grek (SPS). The presenters will also be joined by discussants: Sudeepa Abeysinghe (SPS), Lindsay Paterson (SPS) and Katherine Smith (Strathclyde).

School of Social and Political Science