Thinking and Making Connections

Cybernetic Heritage in the Social and Human Sciences and Beyond
10-11 November 2008

Organisers: CBEES, Södertörn University College in cooperation with The Nobel Museum and the NERU network.

The conference addresses the influence of cybernetics on contemporary cultures and societies. How are cybernetic principles reflexively used in cultural production, especially new media, contemporary arts, literature and museums? How can we conceptualise cybernetics' contribution towards forming entirely new platforms for cultural practices, such as the internet?
Papers focusing on the international dimension, the analysis and comparison of European, Soviet and post-Soviet transformations in Eastern Europe and the Baltic Sea Area have been particularly encouraged.

Keynote speakers

Andrew Pickering, Professor in Sociology and Philosophy, the University of Exeter, the UK: "Sketches of Another Future: Cybernetics in Britain, 1940-2000"
Slava Gerovitch, Lecturer in the history of science, MIT, USA: "Cybernetic Translations: The Allure and the Menace of Cyberspeak"
Vessela Misheva, Professor in Sociology, Uppsala University, Sweden: "Cybernetics and Systems Theory: Allies or Foes?"
Jasia Reichardt, Writer on Art, London, the UK: "The Early Days of Intermedia"
Joanna Zylinska, Senior Lecturer in New Media and Communications, Goldsmiths, University of London, the UK: "Is There Life in Cybernetics? Designing a Post-humanist Bioethics"
Celine Lafontaine, Professor in Sociology, the University of Montreal, Canada: "The Cybernetic Matrix of French Theory"

 Link to more information about the conference.

 Link to the final programme.

Registration

Participants are encouraged to register no later than Friday, October 10.

Conference organisers

Prof Teresa Kulawik, teresa.kulawik@sh.se
Dr Egle Rindzeviciute, egle.rindzeviciute@sh.se
Ass. Prof Rebecka Lettevall, rebecka.lettevall@sh.se
Prof Göran Bolin, goran.bolin@sh.se

Contact

Conference co-ordinator: Dr Egle Rindzeviciute, egle.rindzeviciute@sh.se.