MICROBES

The Centre for the Social Study of Microbes at the University of Helsinki is a hub for social scientists and artists conducting research on human-microbial relations. We aim to develop theory and methods to better make sense of the complex relations between humans, nonhumans, microbes, and their environments... The diverse research backgrounds of our members spanning gender studies, development studies, sociology, science and technology studies, philosophy, anthropology, arts, and the medical and natural sciences, combine to produce a rich ecology of approaches and practices to developing new forms of knowledge about and with microbes. Our collective aim is to develop novel theories and methodologies for producing knowledge about and with microbes. These include combining ethnography with artistic and performative practices, and public fermentation and other experimental workshops to gain a deeper, more sensory and embodied perspective of our shared lives with microbes.

Primary location: Helsinki Finland