If you like the different topic covered here at Machine Culture you’ll probably find this master program interesting: The “European Studies on Society, Science and Technology” (ESST) is an international master programme in Science, Technology Society studies (STS) with 14 partner universities in several European countries.

Deadline for applying for next semester is approaching, and the ESST website at Maastricht University has been updated, which among other things contains this description for next semester:

“The emergence of new technologies – such as internet, genetic engineering, nanotechnology and sustainable energy production – open up both opportunities and threats to modern societies and economies. Citizens, governments, universities and businesses face great challenges when trying to take advantage of the seemingly infinite opportunities of scientific and technological innovations, not least because of the unintended consequences that may accompany them. Since 1992 ESST provides the knowledge and skills necessary for understanding and managing the complex issues of modern innovation. The programme approaches these problems from a variety of disciplinary perspectives, political, cultural, ethical and economical. Convinced that a purely technical approach is not enough in understanding today’s knowledge society, ESST focuses on governance and cultures of innovation”.

When I was studying at the ESST program I choose the specialization “Technological Culture” at Maastricht University – and I had one of the most interesting and best-organized semester ever.

Read more about the program at esst.unimaas.nl. Deadline for applying is 1 June 2006.