An Ethnographer Among the Engineers: Doing STS at a Technical University

This chapter discusses the current trend to integrate perspectives from the social sciences and humanities in engineering research and practice by providing a personal reflection on the experience of being an integrated social scientist at a technical university. First, I discuss the process of teaching sociological perspectives on technoscience to engineering students as well as some of the challenges encountered and pedagogical techniques applied. Second, I discuss the process of researching and collaborating with engineering colleagues—particularly the difficulties of conducting interdisciplinary research that seeks to bridge the boundaries between quantitative and qualitative approaches—and how this not only leads to a variety of interpersonal and practical challenges but also gives rise tensions and conflicts at the organization and institutional level. These issues not only challenge the integrated social scientist in their professional role, but also give rise to critical questions about the nature, quality, and timing of integration at a broader level. In conclusion, I sum up the key points of this chapter, provide some very brief suggestions for improving the current state of affairs, and highlight an import research opportunity for integrated social scientists.