The Philosophy and History of Science and Technology team is always excited to supervise the master thesis of inspiring and inspired students!

Our group explores the history, conceptual structure and social dynamics of relationships between science, technology, society and policy, with a strong interest in research that makes a difference in the world and/or provides insight in the history and/or prospects of scientific interventions for public interest (however such ‘public interest’ may be conceptualised). We study a diversity of topics, ranging from conceptual and foundational issues in the life and environmental sciences, to the knowledge content, institutions and policy of public health, data-intensive science, artificial intelligence and agricultural/agronomic research (including crop and plant science). For example, current projects explore the epistemic, social and political implications of Open Science policies in public health and genomic data governance; the philosophy and ethics of machine learning; mathematical modelling and statistics for ethical AI; the deployment of data collection technologies across lab and field; the model systems used in precision toxicology, stem cell research and plant science; science-policy interactions in agricultural research; data sharing practices across the globe; citizen science in the marine sciences, plant sciences and ornithology; misinformation and disinformation as a scientific and social concern. The methods mobilised by our group include philosophical analysis, close reading of scientific publications, interviews, archival research, participant observation, ethnography, research-action, as well as document and media analysis.

We welcome requests by students who want to join our research projects and work with our different team members, but we also supervise students working on their own topics. We recommend students to carefully read the presentation page of our group before contacting us. In your email, please provide a brief CV, state shortly your research interests and explain how you see them fitting to our group (max 2 pages).

For students outside the STS department, please explain briefly how you plan to engage with philosophical, historical and/or social scientific discussions on the relations between science, technology and policy. Students must have completed at least one course in the field of Science and Technology Studies at the STS department, in our teaching at the School of Life Sciences and School of Management, or must show similar expertise (e.g., relevant courses at another university). It is the students’ responsibility to clarify whether their program’s regulation allows for a supervision with our group, and under which conditions. If you want further information, please contact desantila.hysa@tum.de