Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in
Palgrave Macmillan

Synthetic Biology

A Sociology of Changing Practices

  • Book
  • © 2016

Overview

Authors:
  1. Andrew S. Balmer

    1. University of Manchester, UK

    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed   Google Scholar

  2. Katie Bulpin

    1. University of Manchester, UK

    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed   Google Scholar

  3. Susan Molyneux-Hodgson

    1. University of Sheffield, UK

    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed   Google Scholar

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this book

Log in via an institution
eBook USD 84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Other ways to access

Licence this eBook for your library

Institutional subscriptions

Table of contents (5 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-viii
    Download chapter PDF

  2. Synthetic Biology in Situ

    • Andrew S. Balmer, Katie Bulpin, Susan Molyneux-Hodgson
    Pages 1-40

  3. Barriers

    • Andrew S. Balmer, Katie Bulpin, Susan Molyneux-Hodgson
    Pages 41-79

  4. Bacteria

    • Andrew S. Balmer, Katie Bulpin, Susan Molyneux-Hodgson
    Pages 80-115

  5. Bodies

    • Andrew S. Balmer, Katie Bulpin, Susan Molyneux-Hodgson
    Pages 116-150

  6. Enacting Ontologies, Failure and Time

    • Andrew S. Balmer, Katie Bulpin, Susan Molyneux-Hodgson
    Pages 151-190

  7. Back Matter

    Pages 191-207
    Download chapter PDF
Back to top

Keywords

About this book

This book explores the emergence of a new scientific field, synthetic biology, and the many bold promises its proponents have made to change the future of science, industry, humanity and the global environment. It explores how people, including academics, students, industrialists and governance actors, tried to change their practices to bring engineering and biology together, and to realise such promises from within their everyday lives. It focuses on an ethnographic case study of an academic project that aimed to demonstrate the field's promise for solving water industry problems, from leaky pipes to climate change. In doing so, the book weaves together stories of barriers, bacteria and bodies, examining how they were entangled as people tried to make connections between academia and industry. It also reflects on the authors' attempts to work collaboratively with natural scientists and engineers, reflecting on current debates about the role of sociology in such interdisciplinary projects. The book contributes to contemporary studies of science and technology by highlighting issues such as ontology, practices, failure and time.

Authors and Affiliations

  • University of Manchester, UK

    Andrew S. Balmer, Katie Bulpin

  • University of Sheffield, UK

    Susan Molyneux-Hodgson

About the authors

Andrew S. Balmer is Lecturer in Sociology at the University of Manchester, UK, and a member of the Morgan Centre for Research into Everyday Lives. His research is concerned with everyday life, science and technology. His interests span across diverse topics, including: lie detection, lying and deception; neuroscience and dementia; synthetic biology, and; interdisciplinary collaboration.
 
 
Katie Bulpin is a doctoral student in Sociological Studies at the University of Sheffield, UK and Research Associate in Sociology at the University of Manchester, UK. Her doctorate explores the co-production of novel epistemic communities and novice practitioners. Her research interests have centred on the emergence and consolidation of synthetic biology, and the development of creative methods.
 
 
Susan Molyneux-Hodgson is Senior Lecturer in Sociology and currently Director of Research in the Department of Sociological Studies, University of Sheffield. UK. She is Director of SATIS (Science and Technology in Society) research group in Sheffield, which supports doctoral and early career researchers in STS. Her research interests include: the sociology of scientific communities; science and society relations, and; interdisciplinary collaboration.

Bibliographic Information

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Back to top

Search

Navigation