About the Project

During the last decade the field of nanoscience and nanotechnology has developed into a highly dynamic research area whose subject matter and orientation are not yet clearly delimited and whose institutional forms have not stabilized as yet. The scientific and technological endeavors that address the nanometer scale of physical objects thus provide social scientists with a unique opportunity to investigate the constitution of a novel research area. This project’s principal objective is to reach a detailed understanding of the configuration processes involved in the constitution of the nanoscale research field. The empirical analysis focuses on public-sector research in Switzerland.

The project is guided by the thesis that a comprehensive understanding of the configuration processes is attained only when nanoscale research is addressed at different levels of analysis, each being covered by a dedicated sub-project, and proceeding in a coordinated way.

• Sub-project 1 "Social organization" investigates the transformations of institutional structures and the forms of research cooperation through which the nanoscale research field is constituted.


• Sub-project 2 "Epistemic practice" analyzes how knowledge is produced with a specific focus on imaging and simulation, both of which are central elements for rendering nanostructures present.


• Sub-project 3 "Scientific culture" examines the professional selfrepresentations of scientists in the nanosciences. It asks how researchers situate their research, e.g. with respect to disciplinary affiliations.

The project’s theoretical background is in the social studies of science and technology. It employs qualitative research methods, combining participant observation with interviews and document analysis.