Sheila Jasanoff stands as a preeminent figure in the interdisciplinary field of Science and Technology Studies, renowned for her foundational contributions to understanding the relationship between scientific knowledge and democratic governance. She currently holds the prestigious Pforzheimer Professorship of Science and Technology Studies at Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government, where she has shaped intellectual discourse since 1998. Born in Kolkata, India in 1944, she moved to the United States in 1956 and later earned her J.D. from Harvard Law School in 1976. After practicing environmental law in Boston from 1976 to 1978, she transitioned to academia, joining Cornell University where she would become founding chair of the Department of Science and Technology Studies. Her early career trajectory demonstrates a remarkable intellectual journey from legal practice to establishing herself as a leading scholar at the intersection of science, law, and public policy.
Professor Jasanoff's scholarly work has fundamentally transformed how scholars and policymakers understand the intricate relationships between scientific expertise and democratic processes. Her seminal publications including The Fifth Branch, Science at the Bar, and Designs on Nature established foundational frameworks for analyzing how different political cultures shape scientific governance and technological regulation across nations. Through her comparative analysis of science policy in the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, European Union, and India, she has illuminated the culturally specific ways democratic societies incorporate technical knowledge into decision-making processes. Her conceptual innovations have become central to contemporary Science and Technology Studies, influencing multiple generations of scholars across disciplines. These contributions have cemented her reputation as a pioneering theorist whose work bridges the social sciences, humanities, and practical policy concerns.
Beyond her written scholarship, Jasanoff has been instrumental in building institutional infrastructure for Science and Technology Studies as a recognized academic discipline worldwide. She founded and continues to direct Harvard's Program on Science, Technology and Society while establishing the globally influential Science and Democracy Network in 2002, which has fostered international collaboration among scholars examining science's role in governance. Her leadership extends to advisory roles with the US National Science Foundation, National Academy of Sciences, and international research agencies, demonstrating her impact on science policy at the highest levels. In 2022, she received the Holberg Prize, often described as the Nobel equivalent for humanities and social sciences, recognizing her lifetime of transformative contributions to the field. Jasanoff continues to advance critical conversations about emerging technologies, democratic values, and the ethical dimensions of scientific innovation, ensuring her work remains profoundly relevant to contemporary societal challenges.
