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The STS Talk-Walks

A monthly walking seminar at the University of Oxford 2010-2011

As an experiment, we introduced a new activity at InSIS in the 2010/2011 academic year: The STS Talk-Walks. Once a month, we met up on a Friday afternoon for a walk during which we explored a question that cut across our work. Everyone was welcome, whether they considered themselves an STS person or not.

The STS Walk-Walks at Oxford

The idea had traveled to Oxford from the University of Amsterdam, where Annemarie Mol and Anna M. Mann had been hosting a Walking Seminar for a while. As they write, "talking-while-walking can enhance thinking in ways not attainable behind a desk or in a seminar sitting down."

Sign up to our mailing list

To join our mailing list and receive updates about future STS Talk-Walks, send an empty e-mail to the-sts-talk-walks-subscribe@maillist.ox.ac.uk and follow the instructions you receive.

Previous STS Talk-Walks

Comparing: what is it to compare? (22 October 2010)

(brief summary here; many thanks to Annemarie Mol and Anna M. Mann, who came up with that topic)

Storying: what is it to tell a story? (19 November 2010)

(brief summary here)

Silencing: what is it to silence? (17 December 2010)

(brief summary here)

Travelling: how to make our work travel? (21 January 2010)

(brief summary here; many thanks to Anna Mann and the Amsterdam Walking Seminar for sharing the topic)

Theorizing: what is it to do theory? (18 February 2011)

Concluding: what is it to conclude? (18 March 2011)

(brief summary here; many thanks to Torben Elgaard Jensen for suggesting the topic)

Spinning: what is it to spin a topic? (20 May 2011)

(brief summary here)

Visualising: what is it to visualise? (17 June 2011)

(brief summary here, many thanks to Tanja Schneider who suggested the topic)

The Algorithmic Talk-Walk (22 July 2011)

The final STS Talk-Walk this academic year will adopt a special format: instead of taking our usual route along the Thames, we will be guided by an algorithm.

Following the example of inventive anthropologists, we will use an algorithm that can be queried for directions at every junction, crossroads or otherwise ambiguous point on our journey. The algorithm will be agreed upon at the beginning of the walk and could be anything from throwing a dice to flipping a coin or more sophisticated methods.

This special edition of the STS Talk-Walk will allow us to reflect on the workings and requirements of algorithms, navigation, discovery and fieldwork – and how these might relate to our research projects. We will conclude our journey in a (presumably) local pub – wherever that may be.

(brief essay here; many thanks to Torben Elgaard Jensen for his input and support)

Photos

What is it to compare a PhD student and a cow?

What is it to compare a PhD student and a cow?

Chris mastering an obligatory passage point.

Chris mastering an obligatory passage point.

STS scholars discover the English countryside.

STS scholars discover the English countryside.

A skeptical view on the sun.

A skeptical view on the sun.

An obligatory group photo.

An obligatory group photo.

Thames Path

Thames Path, seconds before the talk-walkers arrive.

STS travellers - and an invisible photographer.

STS travellers - and an invisible photographer.

The End

A classic ending with limited applicability in STS research.

An almost self-explanatory visualisation.

An almost self-explanatory visualisation.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does this work?

Each talk-walk is guided by a question or theme that participants are invited to explore. For example, recent issues tackled by the Amsterdam group include "What is it to compare?" or "How to make our work travel?". We will meet at Saïd Business School and walk-talk for 2-3 hours along the Thames or another enjoyable route.

The actual seminar works as follows: each participant will pair up with another talk-walker every 20 minutes so that (ideally) everyone has a chance to talk-walk with everyone else. We will wrap up briefly at the end of the walk.

How long are these walks?

While we are not aiming to make this a sporting exercise, please mentally prepare for a walk between 10 and 15 km. At average walking speed, this should take us not more than 2-3 hours. Depending on motivation, we can go for a cup of tea or coffee after the seminar.

Anything to bring along?

Not really. Bring whatever you need to talk-walk comfortably. That is, good shoes and maybe a rain jacket, hat or scarf against cold wind. Also, bring an open mind and some initial thoughts on the theme. Specifically, think about how the theme relates to your own work. The guiding question might be useful.

What if it rains?

Then we will walk in the rain.

Do I need to sign up?

It would be great if you could give us a shout if you would like to join. Just e-mail malte.ziewitz@sbs.ox.ac.uk.

You can also join our mailing list to receive regular updates. To subscribe, just send an email to the-sts-talk-walks-subscribe@maillist.ox.ac.uk and follow the instructions in the message you receive in response.

Questions, feedback or ideas for themes?

Please contact us.

Updated: January 25, 2013

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