Paper short abstract:

This paper focuses on the co-dependence of expectations and expertise in the nascent field of 3D bioprinting, and more specifically on the role played by particular forms of organisation in the maintenance and flow such expertise and expectations.

Paper long abstract:

This paper focuses on the co-dependence of expectations and expertise in the nascent field of 3D bioprinting, and more specifically on the role played by particular forms of organisation in the maintenance and flow such expertise and expectations. 3D bioprinting is itself the convergence of two preceding scientific and industrial fields: biotechnology, in particular tissue engineering or regenerative medicine; and additive manufacturing, commonly known as '3D printing'. Both of these fields have a relatively short history accompanied by high expectations, and in fact both have been referred to as 'revolutionary' (Li, 2014; Nightgale and Martin, 2004). This paper is based on a postdoctoral research project currently at an initial stage. The project draws, theoretically, on the sociology of expectations, the sociology of organizations, and insights from studies of interdisciplinarity; and methodologically, on a variety of discourse analysis developed in social psychology. Empirically, the project intends to explore claims of expertise and 'promissory discourses' contained in magazines, academic articles, official documents and industries' and university websites, as well as interviews with researchers working in 3D bioprinting and relevant fields in the UK and Germany. Of particular interest are assumptions about how should the broader 3D bioprinting field be organised so that expertise across different communities of practice is better shared, and so that promises can become reality. The paper presents advances of the project and contributes to the critique of the economy of hope.