School of Social and Political Science

Background

I am a researcher in Science and Technology Studies (STS) specialising in knowledge access infrastructures - the social, technical, and institutional arrangements that shape how knowledge is produced, shared, and governed. My current research focuses on cave and karst science, tracing how collaboration between academic scientists, speleologists, and funding and policy bodies sustains the production and legitimacy of knowledge in this field.

For nearly a decade, I have worked with groups and organisations on the design and practice of knowledge access infrastructures. I currently serve on the Working Group for Social and Gender Equality of the International Union of Speleology (UIS) and the Best Practices Working Group of the Standing Committee for Gender Equality in Science (SCGES), where I contribute to international guidelines and policy frameworks.

My areas of research include science, technology and innovation; applied research; multi-stakeholder infrastructures; and policy. I work across multidisciplinary and multi-methods projects, with a strong commitment to bridging academic research, practitioner communities, and policy.

I hold an MSc by Research in Science and Technology Studies (Distinction, University of Edinburgh) and a BA in Anthropology (First Class, University of Wales Trinity Saint David). I am completing a PhD in Science, Technology and Innovation Studies at the University of Edinburgh, supported by an ESRC/UKRI Studentship. 

Feel free to get in touch — I welcome enquiries from academic colleagues, research collaborators, and organisations interested in knowledge infrastructures, collaboration, and policy.

Qualifications

• PhD (pending) – Science, Technology and Innovation Studies, University of Edinburgh
• MSc by Research – Science, Technology and Innovation Studies, University of Edinburgh (2018, Distinction)
• BA (Hons) – Anthropology, University of Wales Trinity Saint David (2014, First Class)

Awards

• ESRC/UKRI Studentship in Science and Technology Studies (1+3, MSc+PhD), 2017–2023
• Special Award, University of Edinburgh (MSc+PhD), 2017–2022
• Helen McCormack Scholarship Prize, Best Dissertation of the Year, 2014

Publications

• Mattes, J., Morgan, A., & Sambento, S. (2025). 'Membership Survey 2024: How many speleologists are there?' in UIS Bulletin 67-1, International Union of Speleology.
• Mattes, J., Sambento, S., & Uasapud Enríquez, N. V. (2025). Guidelines for Social and Gender Equality in Speleology. International Union of Speleology (UIS).
• Sambento, S. (2024). 'Hard core, soft touches: A story of affect between caves, rocks and humans' in Earthy Matters, eds L. Steel & L. Attala. Cardiff: University of Wales Press.
• Sambento, S. (2019). 'Entrevista con Simone Sambento' interview by M. Arriolabengoa, L. Richard, A. Hermoso de Mendoza in Karaitza, 27: 80–83.