Welcome to Country and Presidential Plenary

Session Submission Type: Plenary Session

Abstract

Presidential Plenary delivered by 4S President, Professor Kim Fortun.

TRANSnational STS: What? Why? How?

The Society for Social Studies of Science (4S) promises to be an “international scholarly society.” In keeping with the theme of the 2018 4S annual meeting – TRANSnational STS – this opening plenary will explore what this looks like in practice and what it calls upon us to do going forward. The plenary will begin with a “Welcome to Country” ceremony through which we will acknowledge that Aboriginal sovereignty has never been ceded and show our appreciation that we are holding the conference on the land of the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. Drawing on the special exhibit built for the Sydney meeting – STS Across Borders – Fortun will then share then what she has learned about the TRANSnational character of STS, about associated conceptual, political and organizational challenges, and about the potential of TRANSnational STS in the contemporary world. The transnational sounds of STS -- shared by STS scholar and DJ Alexandra Lippman -- will accompany.

Sydney Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council

The conference’s opening Welcome to Country ceremony and the smoking ceremony at Friday night’s banquet will be organized by the Sydney Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council. The Council organizes ceremonies in the region as “a tribute and as a reminder of the struggles and achievements of Elders and those who have gone before to fight for land rights and justice for our people. A Welcome to County is a sign of respect to acknowledge the traditional owners of the land.”

Sub Unit

• Single Paper Submission

Individual Presentations

• Presidential Plenary address - Kim Fortun, University of California Irvine

Session Organizer

• Kim Fortun, University of California Irvine