CRICT aims to research into the social and cultural dimensions of science and technology in all its aspects, with particular reference to information and communication technologies. CRICT is concerned to develop and apply a research framework with a threefold significance:
CRICT recognizes the need to demonstrate the relevance and importance of social science research for those involved in making and using the new technologies. Accordingly, our contributions are aimed at two levels. We intend our research results to inform public debate and enrich the discussions upon which major governments and industry policy decisions are made. At the same time, we wish to promote closer relationships with practitioners so as to demonstrate the utility of social science for the practical business of desing, production and use of new technologies.
All projects share an ``analytical skepticism'' about the claims and achievements of science and technology. That is our approach is informed by a commitment to question taken for granted assumptions, particularly as these relate to ``technical'' matters.
This analytical skepticism finds expression in our pursuit of the central intuition that ``culture'' is a key factor affecting the design, production and use of technologies. Scientific knowledge and technological systems are to be understood as social and cultural artefacts, rather than as simply the linear or logical development from existing knowledge and technologies.
``Culture'' affords a variety of interpretations relating to different aspects of the social, economic and organisational circumstances of production and use. Thus CRICT research asks questions about a wide range of aspects of science and technology, including human factors, organisational style, the representation of technical capacity, market dynamics, practitioner's attitudes and beliefs, company politics, designers' preconceptions about users. A central aim of our work is to assess the more valuable senses of ``culture''.
CRICT hosts 8 permanent staff members.