“Inclusive and Sustainable Development Requires Some Counter-Hegemonic Ideas”

Abstract

Hernán Thomas—a well-known figure in Science and Technology Studies (STS) in Latin America—talks about his academic career and some of the questions that drive his research. In this interview, he narrates his encounter with STS—which was marked by the aspiration to create a space of reflection and intervention around technology an incipient field in Latin American academia. When asked “How can we forge paths to development using technologies for social inclusion in Latin America?”, Thomas adopts a broad perspective. He relates the persistence of a hegemonic thought that reproduces the models of dependency, with their manifestation in scientific production evaluation focused on publication in international journals. This contributes to build a scientific field in line with central countries’ research agendas, while constructing sociotechnical systems that detach technologists from local problems. In the face of this diagnosis, Thomas holds that theory is necessary, but insufficient. Plans and strategies should be designed to integrate production and artifacts with their technoeconomic macrostructures. Forging a path of inclusive technologic development requires a counter-hegemonic vision that would enable more egalitarian and free futures for the Global South.