Short Abstract:

This subplenary explores the work in, with, and alongside collectives as a form of STS by other means.

Long Abstract:

This sub-plenary explores the work in, with, and alongside collectives as a form of STS by other means. By juxtaposing academic researchers with researchers from collectives, this session will address its meanings and effects beyond non-conflictual collaborative relations, since building relations reveals to be full with tensions, ambivalences, and misreadings as well as joy, creativity, and collective learning practices. The session will be structured as a juxtaposition of four interventions where the contributors will provide different accounts showing concrete and practical examples of these processes of research, revolving around two main questions:

- What is it to work with or in collectives? How is it developed, who takes part, etc.?

- What would collaborating and researching in/with collectives mean in specific situations and contexts and what are the main issues that different types of researchers in those spaces have come across?

The attempt of this session is, hence, to reflect on and bring to the fore some of the issues arising in this type of research - such as power relations and asymmetries, or the conflicts in the validation and legitimation related to the forms of knowledge being produced - in, with and alongside collectives.

SPEAKERS

Antonio Centeno (activist of the Spanish independent-living movement)

Celia Roberts (Professor of Gender and Science Studies, Lancaster University)

R. Lucas Platero (researcher and activist working on intersectionality, LGBT, and homo/transphobia issues)

Isaac Marrero Guillamón (Lecturer in Anthropology, Goldsmiths)

Rapporteur: Martin Savransky (Lecturer in Sociology, Goldsmiths)