Short-Term Scientific Missions (STSMs)
The Democracy and Expertise Collaboratory (DECo) is pleased to announce the launch of its Short-Term Scientific Missions (STSMs). Inspired by the Action Networking Tools of the EU-funded COST Actions (see here), STSMs offer researchers the opportunity to undertake collaborative research visits between the ‘Padova Science, Technology and Innovation Studies Research Unit’ – PaSTIS (University of Padova, UNIPD, Italy) and the ‘Science and Technology Studies Laboratory’ – STS Lab (University of Lausanne, UNIL, Switzerland). STSMs are primarily open to any early-stage researcher (e.g., PhD with an approved research project, or post-docs within five years of their PhD award) in the host institutions (UNIL and UNIPD) with a clearcut scientific interest in STS research and in the exchange with the other institution – provided that such mission is relevant also to DECo's core themes. Senior researchers or other research staff members who are willing to engage in joint research efforts may also apply under specific conditions (see tabs below).
DECo is a joint laboratory funded through the UNIL-UNIPD privileged partnership. Its goal is to foster, capitalize on and consolidate collaboration among STS researchers at PaSTIS and STS Lab.
DECo aims to foster cutting-edge research at the intersection of science, society, and democracy and to develop crosscutting theoretical and methodological STS concepts from different areas of research at UNIL and UNIPD. The lab focuses on three transversal themes:
- Expert Practices and Technoscience: STS research strongly insists on the importance of attending to the practical, relational and material conditions of the production of scientific knowledge and technological innovations. How can this unique STS expertise be especially useful to illuminate expert practices in the era of social-environmental challenges, public health crises and the rise of artificial intelligence? With what implications for STS itself and its own expert involvement in these epistemic and political challenges?
- Citizenship and Engagement: At the core of STS preoccupations lie several political questions. These relate to the governing of individual conduct (governmentality) through science and technology, but also to their democratic accountability and the problem of public in innovation. What notion of participation is needed to give STS sufficient political and analytical substance in the next decade? If “science communication” is (again) a go-to solution in science-society relations, can STS revive the urgency of a strong democratic framing of this relation?
- Science in the Public Sphere: Extensive STS research examines traditional media and/or new digital and interactive forms of communication to provide an understanding of media evolution, but also their relation to technology, science and innovation. What are the specific challenges of a changing media landscape characterized by digital platforms, internet, blockchain, virtual reality and artificial intelligence? And how can/should STS insight be implicated in digitally driven societal shifts touching upon education, occupational training and the job market?
The STSMs are inspired by the EU-funded COST Actions, a paradigmatic tool for networking and collaboration. Within DECo, STSMs are designed to strengthen knowledge exchange with the ultimate goal of advancing a shared UNIL-UNIPD research agenda on these transversal themes.
STSMs are research exchange visits, typically lasting up to 4 weeks. They are meant primarily for PhD students and postdocs, but are open also to senior researchers, or anyone willing to engage in joint research efforts. The goals of these visits include:
- Collaboration on a shared research output (e.g., publications, grant applications, or project proposals);
- Supervision and mentoring by senior colleagues from PaSTIS and STS Lab;
- Production and/or comparison of research findings (e.g., fieldwork), discussion of methodologies, and development of common analytical frameworks.
STSMs are essential in achieving the objective of DECo. They will create a vibrant collaborative environment for researchers, with a clear commitment to producing concrete scholarly outcomes. Applicants are therefore encouraged to align their mission proposals with DECo's three themes.
Researchers from PaSTIS and STS Lab and in host institutions at all levels of seniority are eligible to apply. However, priority will be given to early-stage researchers – typically, PhD students and post-docs – over senior researcher. Furthermore, a§pplications from other research units at UNIL or UNIPD have to demonstrate a strong academic interest in STS and the relevance of this approach for their research visit.
To apply, candidates should submit the following:
- A title of the STSM;
- A detailed work plan (1000 words maximum) outlining the context and the activities to be conducted during the mission (maximum 4 weeks);
- A description of the expected outcomes (max. 250 words), including any planned joint publications, grant proposals, or project applications;
- A statement (max. 300 words) of how the mission could contribute to (any, or all of) DECo's transversal themes of Expert Practices and Technoscience, Citizenship and Engagement, and Science in the Public Sphere;
- A short letter of support from the Home institution (e.g. supervisor) and a written agreement from the Host institution. The applicant should thus contact researchers in the Host institution prior to submitting the application form;
- A detailed budget request (not exceeding 2000 CHF/EUR). Extra funding from other sources of travelling budget (e.g. institutional or third-party project) can be used to extend the stay;
- A copy of the full CV (including a list of scientific outputs). Alternatively, the link to a personal website containing all relevant information.
Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis. There is no unique deadline for submission. The program is continuously open and will be renewed annually.
Applications will be evaluated by the DECo Steering Group, composed of members from both PaSTIS and STS Lab. The criteria for selection include:
- The potential for tangible scholarly contributions resulting from the visit;
- The relevance of the proposed activities to DECo’s core themes and objectives;
- The feasibility and clarity of the work plan, with clearly defined objectives and timelines for tangible outputs;
- Collaborative engagement between researchers, with a focus on developing research perspectives that could be sustained beyond the STSM;
- Relevance for personal research of the applicant.
The STSMs aim to foster a high level of scientific impact through the internationalization of PaSTIS and STS Lab and the active involvement of early-career scholars. Expected outcomes include:
- Expanding research networks and developing joint projects at national and European levels;
- Disseminating results through publications in high-impact journals and presentations at international conferences;
- Fostering the development of a collaborative research ecosystem across European STS units.
By participating in STSMs, researchers will not only benefit from the opportunity to collaborate closely with peers but also contribute to the growth and visibility of the UNIL-UNIPD partnership and the broader STS research community.
Grantees of DECo’s STSMs have then 60 calendar days from the end date of their visit to submit a scientific report to the DECo Steering Group.
For further details, please contact the DECo Steering Group at secretariat.stslab@unil.ch.
