3D Printing Cultures, Politics and Hackerspaces (Digital Activism And Society: Politics, Economy And Culture In Network Communication) - Hardcover

Savvides, Leandros

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1800716664 ISBN 13: 9781800716667

Publisher: Emerald Publishing Limited, 2021

Synopsis

This stand-out book appreciably contributes to growing debates within Science and Technology Studies concerned with cultural politics, the emergence of citizen science and civil society interventions in shaping technology. By drawing on fieldwork data, Savvides examines the bourgeoning 3D printing culture outside the professional lab in Hackerspaces, Makerspaces and Fab Labs.

This engaging ethnography not only builds arguments on tracing the historical roots of makers and Hackerspaces, 3D printing technology and political narratives surrounding these new technological environments; it also illustrates how 3D printing has configured parallel grassroots innovation in experimental spaces in the UK, Germany and Cyprus and brought together hobbyist maker communities, activists and entrepreneurs alike.

The study also addresses the convergence of activism and the maker culture with prevalent cultural imaginaries - such as the visionary creator within decentralized and distributive manufacturing, the idea of autopoietic social systems, or the imaginative leap to space colonization - and touches upon challenges and motivations in the field of grassroots innovation by examining how it';s organized and conducted in semi-informal contexts.

About this title

About the Author

Leandros Savvides holds a PhD in Management, an MA in Social and Political Thought, and a combined Bachelor's degree in International Politics and Sociology. He currently heads the Business Management program at Global College, Nicosia, having previously held teaching positions at the University of Leicester and the University of Roehampton (London). His research interests include technology and its place in contemporary work and society, alternative and resilient organisations/economies such as the circular economy, cultural and utopian studies, and digital economy. Dr Savvides' work usually entails fieldwork along with a theoretical interdisciplinary approach towards technological artefacts.

Edition details

• Publisher: Emerald Publishing Limited
• Publication date: 2021
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1800716664
• ISBN 13: 9781800716667
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 264