Important Notice. These web-pages are the official site of the Asia Pacific STS Network. This site is maintained on a sub section of the ESR Social Systems Group website. None of the information contained in these pages should be seen as representing the views or policy of The Institute of Environmental Science and Research. All information contained in the Asia Pacific STS Network pages is attributable to APSTSN and not to ESR.
Upcoming events
APSTSN 2012 event
8-10 February 2012, Victoria University of Wellington, Rutherford House, Wellington, New Zealand]
What is the relationship between science and policy decision-making?
How do nations make decisions to invest in science and technology – and how are citizens involved?
The conference will showcase the latest international thinking in the field of Science Policy Studies and to support emerging SPS scholarship in the Asia Pacific region. If you are concerned about the future of science and technology, and if you have ideas about how science policy systems work best, you should be part of this event.
The conference is organised by the NZ Association of Scientists, The School of Government, Victoria University of Wellington, ESR and Landcare Research, and will be an important regional STS capacity building opportunity in 2012
The 2012 APSTSN event (with funding support from 4S) is fully integrated into the programme of the Science for Policy Conference and Policy for Science Conference through multiple sessions and an informal ideas workshop.
Call for paper abstracts closes 15 October 2011.
APSTSN promo and Conference fliers.
Register now.
About Us
The Asia-Pacific Science, Technology and Society Network (APSTSN) formed in late 2008. It offers a new regional identity for STS scholars to complement their local, national and sub-regional STS networks. In following UN conventions, APSTSN members are typically researchers within Australasia, SE and East Asia, and Oceania; or researchers outside the region conducting research within it. The APSTSN focuses on developing collaborative networks and collegial relationships through an annual meeting and other events. For members there is also an online directory of members and a 2-3 monthly e-newsletter. There are no formal membership criteria or fees. Because of the growing membership, the practice of acclaiming the Convenor, Co-Convenor and Steering Committee at the annual conference is now changing to elections.
According to the APSTSN Strategic Plan, which provides the organisational blueprint for the APSTSN, the aims of the APSTSN are:
- Encourage science, technology and society (STS) research, teaching, collaboration and critical discussion on current STS themes and issues in the Asia-Pacific region.
- Seek wide representation from regional STS communities to increase professional and scholarly capacity (with special focus on including Indigenous members).
- Foster collaboration between STS researchers; other scholars and researchers; and ‘end users’ in government, industry and the community; to ensure better information dissemination and policy and decision making.
This offers four distinctive qualities:
A specific regional focus as signified by the term ‘Asia-Pacific’, which constitutes littoral East Asia, Southeast Asia, Australia, New Zealand, and all Pacific Island/Oceania states.
A commitment to indigenous STS involvement and capacity building.
A commitment to a strong regional geographical spread of members.
A strong focus on generating practical insights for policy and decision-making.
An Invitation to join the APSTSN