Ann-Sofie Kall

Academic Interests

My research primarly focuses on the interface between politics and technology, especially relating to environment and energy issues. My research draws on a combination of perspectives from science and technology studies (STS), sociology, history and political science. I am, among other things, interested in processes of inclusion and exclusion, how actors interact and negotiate, creating meaning and definitions.

In my doctoral thesis, Förnyelse med förhinder: Den riksdagspolitiska debatten om omställningen av energisystemet 1980-2010 (Obstructing Renewable: The Swedish Parliamentary Debate regarding the Transformation of the Energy System 1980-2010), I examine how the energy system transformation has been constructed in the Swedish parliamentary debate, with a focus on renewable energy sources. Using concepts from Science and technology studies, and especially Actor network theory, I show how the energy politic is a constant tug-of-war over how to classify things, what categorizations to make and what ideals to turn into goals.

I am currently involved in InSOTEC, an EU-supported project on radioactive waste management. The project aims to explore socio-technical challenges and combinations related to geological disposal. I am especially concerned with scientific controversies and how knowledge is produced in different practices.

Higher education and employment history

• Post doc (current position), Centre for Technology, Innovation and Culture (TIK), Oslo University
• Lector (2011), Environmental Science Program – Department of thematic studies – Water and Environmental studies, Linköping University, Sweden
• Doctoral degree (Mars 2011), Department of thematic studies – Technology and Social Change, Linköping University, Sweden
• Master degree (2005), Social and Cultural Analysis, Linköping University, Sweden

Teaching

During the years as a PhD-student and after, I have been involved in numerous courses. My experience includes both lectures, seminars, tutorials, course coordination and course development. Much of the teaching has been on the interdisciplinary Environmental science program with problem oriented pedagogy, which is also consistent with my philosophy of pedagogy. I have also been teaching at the International Master’s in Science for Sustainable Development. Additionally I have experience in teaching engineering students in social sciences and humanities through the Centre for Human, Technology and Society. My teaching has primarily been focused on environmental and energy issues, theory of science and method, and Science and technology studies (STS).