About the Project

The main aim of Epistemology in Art, Science, Technology (EpisTeaM) is to develop a collaborative consortium and intersectoral network to test the hypothesis that diversification of epistemological positions could be the key to responsible Epistemology in Technological Education and Innovation. The fundamental problem being addressed is the impact of digital technologies on the construction of knowledge and truth, an ‘epistemic crisis’ inside and outside academia. Epistemology is explored as cultural Episteme, disciplinary Epistemology and whole experimental approach. Epistemological diversification through transdisciplinary research is essential and will be investigated through the intersections of Art, Science and Technology by an expansion of the concepts Techne, technics and Technology in the context of disciplinary activity. In the contemporary context of globalised computational conditions, the question of the impact of digital technologies on knowledge is often understood as misinformation and post-truth, however, there is also an inbuilt epistemological conditioning taking place through the digital technologies themselves. For this purpose, a large transdisciplinary research mobility is necessary in order to understand the localised contextualisation of digital technologies within the disciplines, cultures and research laboratories. The traditional epistemological frameworks and paradigms are currently challenged by globalised computational models, where reason itself has been reduced to calculation and probability. EpisTeaM will explore and challenge this dominant epistemological claim. Just as a biodiversity is necessary for the future sustainability of the planet, so too is a Technodiversity within the Technosphere of globalised computation. The partners are from the European University of Technology (ECT Lab+), USA, India and non-academic partners in Europe (SME and Public Bodies).

Project Work Packages

Academic Work Packages include Digital Studies Epistemology (WP-1), Digital Perception and Built Reality(WP-2), Sensing the Body (WP-3), and Techne and the Experiment (Wp-4).

The four thematic strands of the project work packages allow for interrelated research projects that address new ways of conceptualising questions of inter/transdisciplinary technical practices and epistemology. Work packages, staff exchange programme and affiliated activities are designed to create a cross-section of theoretical knowledge. EpisTeaM will link the results of in-depth research projects and hence establish a sustainable platform for responsible innovation of technologies understood as technical practices to collaborate and improve the career prospects of early-stage and experienced researchers. EpisTeaM will be a test case for a new kind of technodiversity or epistemological diversity supported by the development of international, inter/transdisciplinary and intersectoral state-of-the-art training and research. Focusing on these dynamics, the researchers are clustered into the areas: Epistemology, Neuroscience, Digital Studies, Architecture, STS, Media Studies, Fundamental Physics, and Technological Imaginaries.

WP-1 Digital Studies and Epistemology

This WP will study the impact of (digital) technology on human knowledge production. The impact of digital technologies on meaning-making processes are understood as epistemological shifts in processes of annotation and interpretation of text, the visual, and speech. The WP will develop an epistemological framework for the consideration of complex digital assemblages including the historical development (NooSphere) of specific technologies (organology) and their societal impacts, both positive and negative (pharmacological). PhD students will systematically study the history of noesis (process of thinking) and develop critical perspectives on noodiversity (diversities of knowledge). These structured annotations offer potential approaches to improving neural-network-based machine learning techniques in terms of human computer interaction and explainability, with a commensurate positive impact on their performance in a climate of increased ethical scrutiny.

WP-2 Digital Perception and Built Reality

This WP will explore the relationship between technology and the perception of the built environment.

Objective 1: the development of multiple technologies of spatial representation whether that be through representations of space in augmented reality or virtual reality. Objective 2: Is to explore how this epistemological framing of space has come to the fore in the fields of Architecture and Urbanism and Art Education poses fundamental epistemological issues. Objective 3: to establish a basis for analysing the impact of digital technologies on outstanding, memorable, or iconic landmarks that define and create local identity and urban context. Objective 4: to develop new methods of understanding the relationship between architectural creation and digital techniques. The expected outcome is to influence the approach on architectural education and art education in relation with perception through technology and digital means of communication.

WP-3 Sensing the Body

Sensing the body (Lead by UPCT) will study the current relationship between technology and human beings from the individual body perspective, based on the analysis of physiological signals that give rise to individual emotions and cognition, from interfacing the body with a prosthetic approach. This work package will also investigate Neuroethics and discuss the ethical dimension of human screening.

WP-4 Techné and the Experiment

This Wp involves a historical analysis of the relationship between the techniques, technics and technologies of the experiment and has two distinct aims: a) To cultivate a critical, inclusive, and holistic understanding of important epistemological affairs, focusing on digital technologies and digitally driven ways of knowing. b) To aid and unveil alternative/experimental epistemologies (that is, alternative ways to experiment with technology and alternative ways of knowing in some specific techno-scientific context) that are worth exploring further in a particular research context.