Practical Limits of ANT and Explorations in Other Conceptual Frameworks

Abstract

Actor-Network Theory (ANT) has been used by many STS scholars as a conceptual framework for their research. Since inception, ANT has lacked due consideration of knowledge on education, training, and practical experience in technical professions, examination of disasters, time-variant networks, and networks emergent from complex situations. Thus, ANT's foundation is incomplete and its theoretical approach is narrow. These limitations may restrict understanding of historical and contemporary events.

Several attributes not yet developed or emphasized in ANT include: (1) network boundaries with recognition and inclusion of influence from external actors, (2) chronology of events, (3) explanation of the recurrence of events that impose risk to lives, safety, and/or finances, (4) directionality in space, such as knowledge flow via ordered participants (creators, carriers, conveyors, users), (5) reactions and responses to events that may tend to destabilize the time-forward progression of a network, and (6) feedback loops that may cultivate stabilization.

Presentations include: (1) historical/contemporary examples from technical professions in which the events cannot be fully explained and understood with ANT, (2) identification of shortcomings of ANT, and (3) demonstrations of other conceptual approaches that are either an extension of or alternative to ANT using visual representations to show actors, associations, influences, timelines, boundaries, etc. Discussion will be guided by two discussants with points and counterpoints. Attendee participation is encouraged.

New conceptual frameworks can be innovative, especially when based on practical examples. These will lead to broader, deeper understanding of sociotechnical studies of technical professionals and potentially more principled scholarly search for truth.

Chair

• Michael E Gorman, UVA

Discussants

• Mitchell Cieminski, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

• Nathaniel T Stanton, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute - STS

Individual Presentations

• Does ANT Have Heuristic Value in Thinking About and Managing the Impacts of Climate Change? - Michael E Gorman, UVA

• Underground as a Controversial Mitigation of Climate Change Option: Example of Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) Implementation - Jonas Pigeon, IDEES

• A New STS Hybrid Conceptual Framework: Understanding Unrecognized, Available, Pertinent Knowledge and Recurring Structural Failures - Julie Mark Cohen, Julie Mark Cohen, PhD, PE, SECB

Session Organizer

• Julie Mark Cohen, Julie Mark Cohen, PhD, PE, SECB