Against Machines: Why Social Sciences need Singularities and Wild Thinking

This is the second in the department’s series of research seminars. The plan is to have a seminar right after each department information meeting (first Tuesday of every month).

Abstract

Social sciences are permeated by ready-made solutions to the variety of challenges facing a researcher. In this seminar I will refer to these solutions as machines. The machine is a pre-designed model for the organization and execution of research work. It is offered as a way of securing “scientific” status and predictability within the different disciplines of social sciences. In the seminar I will discuss five machines that, if taken too seriously, come with the risk of constraining creativity, free thinking and the growth of knowledge:

• The research design
• Theory
• Formulas and templates
• Projects
• Career trajectories

In contrast – or as an alternative – to these machines, I will suggest an acceptance of wild thinking (not constrained by tradition and paradigm) and singularities (radical uniqueness).

Upcoming research seminars

3rd December
Remaking money for a just and sustainable future with Ester Barinaga

A research seminar could be about anything research-related, on which you want to have feedback or provide food for thought, and where the audience is not necessarily only your own sub discipline. If you have an idea, please contact jens [dot] rennstam [at] fek [dot] lu [dot] se (Jens Rennstam).