On the Interplay of Images, Imaginaries and Imagination in Science Communication

On the Interplay of Images, Imaginaries and Imagination in Science Communication is the title of recently published book edited by Andreas Metzner-Szigeth — Professor in Sociology of Culture and Communication at the Faculty of Design and Art of the Free University of Bozen-Bolzano.?

The dynamics of images, imaginaries and imagination play a crucial role - in academic as well as in public discourses. What kind of essential relations exist between different expressive forms and patterns of thought? How can we understand the principles determining the ways in which their dynamics take effect - in the practice of scientists and engineers, and at their interfaces with politics, economy, culture and the public? Which options do we have to make good use of our insights?

Despite of the diversity of topics - treated with either more interest in theoretical reflections, programmatic considerations or practice-oriented descriptions - all contributions to this volume share a common interest: to raise our awareness and understanding of the generative capacities of these processes.

Exploring this prolific interplay is of utmost importance for expanding our ability to identify emerging opportunities, to create future perspectives, and to assess the societal consequences of scientific and technological developments. This expansion is indispensable if we really want to be clear about our preferences whilst shaping the ongoing stream of inventions and innovations according to our values.

An overview of contents with abstracts of all chapters and CVs of contributing authors as well as an extended reading sample can be downloaded directly from here or from the books official webpage: On the Interplay of Images Imaginaries and Imagination in Science Communication | Casa editrice Leo S. Olschki

Regarding the system of academic disciplines, the selection of text contributions covers an extensive range. It includes topics, approaches and knowledge claims from social sciences and humanities, as well as from natural sciences and engineering, and even from medicine, design and art.

The contributions to the volume are written by Andreas Metzner-Szigeth — Gerald Hüther — Xabier Insausti — Massimo Bartolini — Luca Toschi — Andreas B?hn — Selena Savi? — Tzung-wen Chen — Thomas Hundt — Letizia Bollini — Emiliano Guaraldo — Valentina Marcheselli — Charudatta Navare — Emanuel Mathias — Stephan Schmidt-Wulffen and Elisabetta Rattalino — Waltraud Kofler Engl, Alexandra Budabin and Gaia Piccarolo — Ingrid Kofler — Ilaria Riccioni — Roland Benedikter — Joe Ravetz — Cristina Orsatti — Berenice Golding, Elizabeth F. Caldwell and Sarah Falcus — Eugenio Pandolfini, Lisa Capitini, Ilaria Marchionne, Marco Sbardella and Viola Davini — Joost van Loon — Brian Rappert