CfP: Representing scientific results: Forms of knowledge - Workshop, November 18-19, 2016 - University of Kassel, Germany
CALL FOR PAPERS
Representing scientific results: Forms of knowledge
Workshop, November 18-19, 2016 - University of Kassel, Germany
Organized by Nina Kranke and Robert Meunier
Investigating the forms as well as epistemic and social roles of
scientific representations has been an important part of science studies
in the last 30 years. Representations in science are as heterogeneous
as science itself. Accordingly, the literature is vast and there is no
unique definition, but, at best, some family resemblance between the
things we address as representations in science. This workshop takes a
more specific look at scientific representations, while remaining open
to the variety of formats and media used. It focusses on a specific role
of representations: Representing results of research.
Representation in research and representing results of research
The category of a result of scientific research is at the
same time the most obvious and a somewhat underappreciated aspect of
representation. After the practical turn in science studies, results
seem remote from where the action is in science. Furthermore, the focus
on results runs the risk of falling back on time worn distinctions like
the one between representation and the world represented or the context
of discovery and the context of justification. Indeed, observation and
experimentation isolate and fabricate phenomena, use material models and
generate inscriptions. They abound in representations. These items are
mainly presented as methods or as evidence. They can, however, under
some circumstances also be used to represent results, posing the
question of the difference between evidence and results. Other items
such as diagrams are predominantly used to represent results, but they
often also play a role in the reasoning processes that accompany
research. The differences lie mainly in the role representations play
rather than in the formats or media. We suggest to revisit
representations of results and ask: What can we learn about knowledge
production by focusing on the form of the product?
Forms of knowledge and formats of representation
Research typically aims at knowledge of a certain type: The
composition of an object, causal relations, statistical correlations, a
taxonomy, a genealogy, or a network of agents, and possibly many other
forms of knowledge. We can identify such forms of knowledge by looking
at and abstracting from the representations of results. Representations
thus indicate what counts as result in different situations. We can also
identify types of representations that are associated with or
predominantly used to represent knowledge of a given form (maps,
statistical graphs, diagrams of mechanisms, tree diagrams, or network
graphs among others, and, of course, various forms of linguistic
representation). It seems that no form of knowledge is bound to a single
format or medium of representation, but not all knowledge can be
represented in every format. Furthermore, formats differ with regard to
cognitive accessibility or the amount or dimensionality of information
that can be transported.
- What is the relation of forms of knowledge and formats and media of representation?
- How are formats and media chosen and how, and under what circumstances are results translated between formats and media?
Working towards results and starting from results
Focusing on the representations of results shall not imply to
ignore research activity. But research activity can be looked at from
the perspective of the kind of representations if produces.
Additionally, the actual crafting of representations of results is an
activity that might include the translation of some forms of
representation used in the research process (working models,
inscriptions) and the use of specific tools for data visualization.
Furthermore, representations of results are no dead ends. A result might
be used in further research or in extra scientific projects and its
usability might depend on its format as well.
- How does the form of representations of results shape research activities that are meant to lead to representations of that form?
- How are measurements, traces or facts generated in the research process translated into representations of results?
- How does the form of results enable and influence their use in further research?
Communicating results and organizing interaction
Representations of results are used to communicate results to the
scientific community or other actors. They are geared towards convincing
people, i.e. they have rhetorical side. This might influence the choice
or style of formats used. Furthermore, representations of results are
shaped by and organize interaction among individuals and groups in terms
of standardization of formats and coordinating collaborative work.
- How do representations of results organize the exchange and interaction between various groups within science and between scientists and other parties involved?
The workshop seeks to bring together papers focusing on case
studies concerned with representations of results in various natural and
social sciences from the perspective of philosophy of science, history
of science, STS, semiotics, cultural and media studies and related
fields that address, in one way or another, one or several of the
questions raised above.
Confirmed invited speakers are: Rasmus Grønfeldt Winther (UCSC) and
Marion Vorms (Birkbeck University, London, Université Paris 1). Evening
lecture: Hans-Jörg Rheinberger (MPIWG Berlin)
We invite submissions of abstracts for individual presentations of
30 minutes, followed by 15 minutes of discussion. Abstracts should not
exceed 250-300 words. Please submit titles and abstracts by 31 March
2016 to: nina.kranke@uni-kassel.de
Hotel accommodations for two nights will be provided for those whose papers are accepted.