Sociotechnical Innovation and Political Dynamics
Summary
Sociotechnical innovation and political dynamics examines how technological change and political power co-evolve within society. The field highlights that innovation is not merely a technical endeavour but unfolds in interaction with institutional frameworks, regulatory priorities and collective imaginaries of desirable futures. Researchers investigate the means by which social values, governance regimes and interest networks shape design choices, diffusion pathways and public acceptance of novel technologies. Key themes include the construction of sociotechnical imaginaries, the politics of scaling experimental interventions and the deployment of testing as a mode of governance. Empirical case studies range from algorithmic platforms and mobility testbeds to environmental restoration projects. By revealing how authority is both enacted through–and transformed by–technical artefacts, this work informs global debates on democratic accountability, equity, sustainability and the strategic steering of innovation.
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Technical terms
Sociotechnical system: An assemblage of social actors, institutions and technical artefacts that co-produce technological outcomes and societal effects.
Sociotechnical imaginaries: Collective visions of desirable futures shaped by cultural values and institutional narratives that guide innovation trajectories.
Scalability: The capacity of an innovation to grow in scope or impact, often valorised as a key policy objective in mission-oriented programmes.
Experimentalism: A policy approach that treats interventions as experiments, using real-world trials to generate actionable knowledge and legitimise decisions.
Governance: The ensemble of formal and informal mechanisms, norms and practices through which technological development is directed and regulated.
References
- The politics of scaling. Social Studies of Science (2021).
- Put to the test: For a new sociology of testing. British Journal of Sociology (2020).
- Do automated vehicle trials test society? Testing mobility futures in the West Midlands. Mobilities (2024).
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