Theme of the Graduate Program
The focus of the Graduate Program is on the analysis of the ”knowledge society”. Several aspects are subsumed under this term. Some of these aspects are outlined in the following, though further aspects should not be excluded. This outline is therefore not meant to be an exclusive list of the aspects of research or research interest.
Two interdependent or overlapping research foci constitute the research program: 1)
Epistemic characteristics of applied science (i. Science in contexts of application; ii.
Epistemic characteristics of expertise); 2) Institutional conditions of the production, validity
and credibility of expertise (i. Politicization and media exposure of expertise; ii.
Democratization of expertise).
Institutional Changes in Science
The increase in the importance of expertise in many areas has at the same time led to greater diversity in the kinds of institutions in which this knowledge is organized. Expert knowledge is controversial because of its close connection to (political) decision-making. In contrast to self-referential scientific controversies, disagreement between experts involved in advisory capacities often results in the loss of public trust in knowledge. Acceptance of advisory recommendations is not solely determined by the correctness of the knowledge but also by the interests and values involved in the issue as well as by the demands of the media and the public. There is no established system of quality control and criteria of validity of expertise. Expert knowledge is thus knowledge which is subject to problems of credibility and validity.
Epistemic Changes in the Production of Knowledge
Institutional changes occur along with epistemic changes in the production of knowledge. This development is furthered by increased expectations in the problem solving capacity as well as the demand for the control and legitimation of science. Thus, priority is given to strategies of intervention instead of epistemic exploration, and to the management of increased complexity such as simulation and real experiments. The transition to these new strategies of knowledge production leads to problems of credibility and legitimation.