Theories of Science - Fall 2026 - All you need to know

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The course provides an introduction to theories of science and relevant social science and humanities scholarship, with an emphasis on the history and philosophy of science and the social organization and dynamics of various academic fields, including their strategies for producing knowledge and the interaction between research and society.

The course engages with issues such as philosophical assumptions underlying high-quality scholarship, making claims about truth and objectivity, professional and societal relevance of science, navigation of academic challenges, and classic and contemporary critiques of science. To contribute to a better understanding of academic work, insights into the history of science and academic scholarship and the key features of the modern university are provided. Moreover, the course is one of the few arenas in which PhD students from a wide variety of disciplines meet and work together, which increases their interdisciplinary sensitivities.

Through the years we have seen that participants differ considerably in their expectations towards a course on theories of science. While some want to engage with theory on a deeper level, others are more interested in practical applications of knowledge about scientific knowledge production. While we are happy when someone chooses to participate in all five course days (in which case the word count of the assignment is reduced), we offer two "tracks" catering to different expectations and needs.

Lecturers

Professor Thomas Berker (responsible for the course: thomas.berker@ntnu.no), Associate Professor Terje Finstad, Professor Jonathan Knowles, Professor Miriam Kyselo, Associate Professor Sofia Moratti, Associate Professor Rune Nydal, Senior Researcher Kyriaki Papageorgiou, Associate Professor Astrid Rasch, Associate Professor Elisabeth Stubberud, and Research Professor Govert Valkenburg.