Prof. Dr. Arie Rip

Arie Rip is Professor of Philosophy of Science and Technology in the School of Management and Governance of the University of Twente. He studied chemistry and philosophy at the University of Leiden, did research in physical chemistry, and switched to Chemistry and Society teaching and research, and Science, Technology and Society studies more generally. His work in science dynamics, technology dynamics, and constructive technology assessment is widely acclaimed.
Arie Rip is involved in evaluation studies, as of the Norwegian Research Council, and the research management of Flemish Universities, and international comparative science policy studies. He was a member of the EU High-Level Expert Group on Foresighting the New Technology Wave, and is actively promoting international collaboration in issues of nanotechnology and society. He is also Visiting Professor at the University of Stellenbosch, South Africa.
More information: http://www.utwente.nl/mb/steps/people/adjoined/rip/



Longue-durée developments in scientific knowledge production and institutionalization -- and the near future
Lecture by Prof. Dr Arie Rip, 24 January 2011, 6 pm, Lichtenberg-Kolleg / Historic Observatory

Arie Rip outlined in his lecture developments of science and its institutions by taking the period from the 17th century until today. He focused on the significance of “protected spaces” for scientific development at the micro-level of the laboratory, the meso-level of scientific institutions, and the macro-level of the evolving social contract of science and society. Presently, the tension between closure (autonomy) supporting productivity and excellence and opening up to society („unprotection“) is very visible. Rip offered scenarios of possible futures, which allow today’s institutions like the Lichtenberg-Kolleg to position themselves better.