>Centre for Research into Innovation, Culture and Technology,
>Brunel, the University of West London
>Uxbridge, Middlesex,
>UB8 3PH
>UK
>
>CRICT PhD Programme
>
>CRICT Research
>CRICT aims to research into the social and cultural dimensions of
>science and technology in all its aspects, with particular
>reference to information and communication technologies.
>     While CRICT research focuses on a variety of substantive areas
>- notably on the ways in which new technologies are created,
>diffused and used - all projects share an "analytic scepticism"
>about the claims and achievements of science and technology.  That
>is, our approach is informed by a commitment to question taken for
>granted assumptions, particularly as these relate to "technical"
>matters.
>     This analytic scepticism finds expression in our pursuit of
>the central intuition that "culture" is a key factor affecting the
>design, production and use of technologies.  Scientific knowledge
>and technological systems are to be understood as social and
>cultural artefacts, rather than as simply the linear or logical
>development from existing knowledge and technologies.  The design,
>capability, nature, use and effects of new technology are the
>upshot of a myriad of purely technical design decisions.  These
>influences are embedded in technology and in its use: technology is
>society made durable.
>     CRICT research draws upon expertise and backgrounds in
>disciplines such as sociology, anthropology, computer science and
>history.  In our links with computer science, for example, we are
>investigating the social and cultural dimensions of human computer
>interaction (HCI), and of document and information management, with
>a view to informing the processes of design and development. 
>Elsewhere, we are examining the creative appropriation and use of
>media texts in local cultures as a way of evaluating current ideas
>about globalisation. At the same time, CRICT addresses wider social
>and environmental aspects of technological change.  Work on the
>public understanding of science and on the social management of
>environmental change has recently further augmented our research
>agenda.
>     In focusing upon aspects of culture denoted by "producer-
>consumer relations" CRICT research is also addressing a more
>general problem: what is to count as effective communication across
>social organisational boundaries?  This is perhaps especially
>important at a time when skills are highly differentiated - between
>science and non-science, between technology and the arts, between
>academics and non-academics, between public and private sectors -
>and at a time of increasing demands for accountability and utility
>across disciplinary and organisational divides.
>     In this and other ways, CRICT research is addressing
>fundamental problems of social science.  CRICT research draws
>upon,and contributes to, major themes in social constructivism,
>deconstruction, discourse analysis, textual analysis, literary
>theory, feminist and historical scholarship.  Through an empirical
>focus on science and technology - arguably the most pervasive and
>significant forms of cultural artefact in our society - we are
>seeking new approaches to long standing problems of societal
>organisation.
>
>Research Degree Programme
>CRICT's PhD programme is designed to foster the multidisciplinary
>basis of its research.  The programme encompasses a taught first
>year with compulsory courses in Research Methods, in conjunction
>with a wide range of optional courses in Human Sciences, Economics,
>Computer Science and Electrical Engineering.  In the summer term,
>students complete a project related to their own research
>interests.  Students who satisfy all the relevant requirements will
>be allowed to proceed to years two and three to undertake
>individual research.
>
>Funding and Eligibility
>CRICT is recognised by the ESRC as a recipient of Research
>Studentships.  Those wishing to be considered for nomination to the
>ESRC should apply by 1st May for commencement in October. 
>Applications are welcomed from students who have, or expect to
>have, a good honours degree.
>
>Graduate Activities and Facilities
>CRICT organises a series of research seminars throughout the year
>at which leading experts in various fields of interest to CRICT
>present papers to members of CRICT and associated staff and
>postgraduates.
>     The Centre has accommodation for individual study, a common
>area and a substantial investment in personal computers, printers
>and other equipment.
>
>Dissemination
>CRICT holds regular workshops for academic and professional groups,
>and disseminates its research results widely through its
>consultancy and industrial contacts, and the publication of working
>papers.
>
>Recent and Ongoing Research Projects
>Human Factors in Information Systems Development, (SERC), Principal
>Investigator: Prof. Steve Woolgar, Prof. Patrick Hall, Research
>Fellow, Dr. Janet Rachel.
>A Sociological Study of Changing Research Culture, (ESRC),
>Principal Investigator: Prof. Steve Woolgar, Research Fellow: Dr.
>Geoff Cooper.
>A Sociological Investigation of the Domestic Use of Video Cameras,
>(UFC (PICT)), Principal Investigator: Dr. Ros Gill.
>The Effects of Information Technology on Scientific Research,
>(ESRC/SERC), Principal Investigator: Dr. Christine Hine, Prof.
>Steve Woolgar.
>Understanding Software Development Standards in Commercial
>Settings, (ESRC), Principal Investigator: Dr. Stuart Shapiro, Prof.
>Steve Woolgar.
>The Social Management of Environmental Change, (EC (SEER)),
>Principal Investigator: Dr. Alan Irwin, Dr. Janet Rachel.
>Abilities and Competences needed by Industry in order to identify,
>acquire and use new technology to their advantage, (EPSRC, ACME),
>Principal Investigator: Prof. Steve Woolgar; Co-investigators: Dr. Bob Grieve,
>Dr. John Kirkland.
>
>