Feminist STS

Definition

Feminist Science and Technology Studies (STS) is an interdisciplinary approach that examines the relationship between gender, science, and technology, highlighting how social structures and power dynamics shape knowledge production and technological development. This perspective critiques traditional scientific methods and theories, emphasizing the importance of including diverse voices and experiences in understanding how technologies are created and who they serve.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Feminist STS emphasizes the need for more inclusive research practices that consider the impact of gender on scientific inquiry and technological design.
2. This approach critiques the gender biases present in traditional science and technology narratives, highlighting how they often exclude women's contributions and perspectives.
3. Feminist STS scholars argue that technologies are not neutral tools but are imbued with values that reflect the interests of those who create them.
4. The field also explores how gendered norms influence the development and implementation of technologies, including in areas like healthcare and environmental science.
5. Feminist STS advocates for the rethinking of policies related to technology and science to address inequities and ensure equitable access to the benefits of technological advancements.

Review Questions

• How does feminist STS challenge traditional scientific methods and theories?
  • Feminist STS challenges traditional scientific methods by highlighting inherent biases that often overlook women's contributions and experiences. It argues that conventional approaches tend to favor male-dominated perspectives, which can skew knowledge production. By advocating for more inclusive methodologies, feminist STS aims to reshape how research is conducted, ensuring that diverse voices are represented in scientific discourse.
• Discuss the role of intersectionality in feminist STS and its significance for understanding technology.
  • Intersectionality plays a crucial role in feminist STS by providing a framework to analyze how various identities intersect to affect individuals' experiences with science and technology. This perspective helps identify how factors such as race, class, and sexuality intersect with gender to create unique challenges in access to technology. By incorporating intersectionality, feminist STS promotes a more nuanced understanding of how technologies can reinforce or disrupt existing power structures.
• Evaluate the implications of feminist STS for policy-making in science and technology.
  • The implications of feminist STS for policy-making are profound, as it advocates for a re-examination of how science and technology are governed. By recognizing that technologies reflect societal values and biases, policymakers are encouraged to adopt a more equitable approach that considers the needs of diverse communities. This evaluation promotes policies that aim to reduce inequalities in access to technology, ensure that women and marginalized groups are included in decision-making processes, and ultimately leads to more just technological outcomes.

Related terms

Intersectionality: A concept that explores how different aspects of a person's identity, such as race, gender, class, and sexuality, intersect and interact to shape their experiences of oppression or privilege.

Technofeminism: A framework that combines feminist theory with technology studies, focusing on how technology can reinforce or challenge existing gender inequalities.

Social Construction of Technology: The theory that technology is shaped by social processes and interactions, rather than being a purely technical or neutral outcome.