I am delighted to welcome you to the new Program in Human and Social Dimensions of Science and Technology at Arizona State University. We are currently recruiting for our first class of PhD students, who will commence studies in August 2008 and join one of the nation's largest and most comprehensive communities of scholars in science and technology studies, history and philosophy of science, and science and technology policy.

The philosophy of our program is simple. In the past half century, science and technology have become powerful agents of change in global society and universities have arisen as central sites of research and innovation in the global knowledge economy. We believe, therefore, that universities must also become leaders in the critical analysis of the complex dynamics of science and technology in society. We also believe that universities have an obligation to use that knowledge to inform scientific research and to foster greater public deliberation of the future of technological societies.

This philosophy infuses not only our program but also all of ASU. ASU is currently embarked on a major reorganization of the university's intellectual geography to orient its work toward solving the grand challenges facing humanity in the 21st century. As a flagship program in that transformation, we are working closely with ASU's President Michael Crow, the science and engineering community, and business and policy leaders to build a new, more reflexive model of scientific and technological research and innovation.

We invite you to join us in this exciting endeavor. Please do not hesitate to contact me. I will be happy to answer your questions and discuss the many opportunities available through our program.

Sincerely,

Clark A. Miller
Chair, Program in Human and Social Dimensions of Science and Technology