The “science shop” movement pioneered in the Netherlands directly linked academic institutions with social movements to counterbalance techniques of management tied to capital. These moves have reverberated through the growth of ‘labs’ of science technology and society with normative goals. The Citizens Lab (U of T), Critical Infrastructures Lab, and in some ways ADM+S, reflect modes of thinking through ways to affect wider cultural, political, technological changes, with the limited capacities and budgets of public academic modes of engagement. We ask what do the examples of working in an academic setting with an institutionalised mandate for social change map to, feel like, and what can we learn from them?

If you’d like join discussion and reflection on the continuing evolution of ‘labs’, please respond to Luke.h@Deakin.edu.au to secure a spot.

Access:
Tower 2, Level 12/727 Collins St, Melbourne VIC 3008.
Once in the building, entering under the large yellow sculptures, and turning left ‘tower two’ lobby, Deakin Downtown is on the 12th floor. Walk into the lobby and find the escalators up to the second set of elevators, press Deakin 12 on the touch screen to be assigned an elevator up. Check with the front desk for room for “CDII – Do Labs have Politics”.