Whites need not apply for ‘sci-tech’ symposium

The “new” voices of science will only include scholars of colour at the “New Voices in Science and Technology Studies: A C3 Symposium”. But in scientific research, skin colour should have no relevance.

The symposium at the private liberal arts university in Williamstown, is planned for November and  only non-white scholars will be able to submit papers since they represent a “historically underrepresented group,” the College Fix reported.

The call for papers only allow “African Americans, Alaska Natives, Arab Americans, Asian Americans, Latinx, Native Americans, Native Hawaiians, and other Pacific Islanders” to enter.

Promotional materials for the symposium state: “The Science & Technology Studies Program at Williams College invites papers on any topic concerned with science and technology and their relationship to society for a day-long symposium showcasing the work of early-career scholars (ABD or recent PhD) from historically underrepresented groups.”

The application does provide an equal employment opportunity statement that people from “all backgrounds are welcome”, but in the Williams College registration process, applicants are required to submit proof in writing to qualify as a member of an “historically underrepresented group” thus clearly contradicting the statement.

According to the institution, “we aim to create an inclusive, intellectually enriching experience for all involved, including the visiting speakers and the faculty and students of Williams” even though whites will not be eligible.

The non-white scholars will receive a $500 honorarium and will be hosted by Williams College as they present their papers to the audience.

The science and technology program at Williams is an “interdisciplinary social sciences field”, according to its website. The “critical dialogue” advocated by the university, is therefore obviously not a scientific endeavour but a political project.

“The Program in Science and Technology Studies (STS) aims to provide students with an interdisciplinary framework through which to appreciate the complex interactions between science, technology and society, and with which to analyze and understand the ways science and technology give shape to, and are in turn given shape by, society, culture and history,” the website noted.

Williams College Associate Professor of Political Science and Chair of Science and Technology Studies Laura Ephraim has for the last three weeks ignored repeated phone calls and emails from The College Fix seeking comment on the discriminatory event.

Also, the Williams College’s media affairs office and several faculty members in the Science and Technology Studies programme ignored repeated requests for comment.

An administrative assistant working in Science and Technology Studies contacted by the reporter, said they were “unsure” who could help The College Fix with questions about racial exclusion.