Science and technology are often seen as two of the main engines of globalization. For example, advances in computing, telecommunications,and biotechnology are changing, or have the possibility of changing, the everyday lives of people world-wide. One of the major impacts of technoscience is to globalize many aspects of human activity. While globalization is most often seen as international economic integration, there are many other concerns this new global phenomenon has brought. They include myriad social, cultural, and political issues associated with the unprecedented process of mutually interacting changes on a global scale.

The "SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY & GLOBALIZATION: Societal, Political, and Economic Impacts" conference looked at the many globalization issues and their accompanying analytic frameworks. This interdisciplinary event focused on an examination of the complexities of this controversial topic and featured distinguished speakers from all sides of the science, technology and globalization debate.

The conference had two main purposes: 1) to indentify, discuss, and set an agenda for research on the most pressing societal issues posed by globalization, and 2) to serve as a venue for current graduate students to present their research on issues related to globalization.

A series of student papers based on submitted abstracts were presented as were a series of lectures, roundtables, and debates featuring established scholars working on scientific and technological aspects of globalization. The following scholars participated:

Saul Halfon teaches in the STs proram at Virginia Tech and is interested in: environmental politics and policy, the politics of demography and population, politics of health, feminist studies of technology, and science and social movements. His most recent book is "Reconstructing Population Policy After Cairo: Demography, Women's Empowerment, and the Population Network" (Cornell University, 2000).

David Hess is Chair of the Department of Science and Technology Studies at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. He has published numerous books in the last five years including: Science and Technology in a Multicultural World and Science Studies: An Advanced Introduction.

Todd M. LaPorte teaches in the School of Public Policy at Gearge Mason University. His current research focuses on international public organizations and the World Wide Web. His current work can be found at http://www.cyprg.arizona.edu.

Timothy Luke teaches political science at Virginia Tech. His books include: Capitalism, Democracy, and Ecology: Deaprting from Marx and Social Theory and Modernity.

James Mittelman teaches in the field of comparative and global political economy, international relations theory, and international organization at American University=92s School of International Service. His most current books are: Capturing Globalization and The Globalization Syndrome: transformation and Resistance.

Kim Fortun teaches in the Department of Science and Technology Studies at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Her most current book is Advocacy After Bhopal: Environmentalism, Disaster, and the New Global Order.

Steve Rayner teaches and researches in the field of environment and public affairs in the School of International and Public Affairs at Columbia University. He is the author of seven books, his most recent, an edited four volume set (with E. Malone), Human Choice and Climate Change: An International Assessment.

Alan Tonelson is a Research Fellow with the U.S. Business and Industry Council Educational Foundation, a business-affiliated research institute. He has just published "The Race to the Bottom: Why a Global Worker Surplus and Uncontrolled Free Trade are Sinking American Living Standards" (Westview Press).

Nicholas Vonortas is the director of the graduate program on Science, Technology and Public Policy at the Elliot School of International Affairs of the George Washington University. His research focuses on the economics of technological change and strategic partnerships. His latest book was Cooperation in Research and Development.

Agenda: Click here for a copy of the agenda.

Sponsor: The event was sponsored by Virginia Tech's Science & Technology Studies Program and ASPIRES program, George Washington University's Center for International Science & Technology Policy, and the National Academy of Engineering. The conference took place on George Washington University's Washingtom, DC campus.

Site last updated on May 9, 2001
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