A Text of Texts…almost a Texture

Abstract

This lecture intends to be a journey through ongoing conversations that over time gave a situated meaning to the black box of STS. It tells the story (or rather stories) of how these perspectives have influenced the study targets of various groups of researchers, mainly sociologists and students of organization, technology and science. Using a narrative technique, it places the reference texts of the authors who have helped to build the STS perspective centre stage. The lecture focuses on traditions, authors and intellectual and research trajectories, and then concentrates on the ways in which we are preparing to pass the baton to a younger generation of academics, both in Italy and elsewhere. It also highlights how this new generation is acquiring relevance in the ongoing debate surrounding the social sciences. The texts examined represent the dense texture of the diverse STS perspectives.