Steven Yearley

Professor Steven Yearley is Chair in the Sociology of Scientific Knowledge at the University of Edinburgh’s Science, Technology and Innovation Studies (STIS) department. His career spans sociology, science and technology studies (STS), and environmental policy analysis.

• Current affiliations: University of Edinburgh (STIS), SKAPE, SCRR
• Previous roles: Director of ESRC Genomics Policy & Research Forum (2005-2013), Director of IASH (2017-2022)

Research Focus:
Yearley examines environmental issues through STS lenses, particularly climate change, GMOs, and synthetic biology. He emphasizes:

• Science-policy interactions
• Environmental activism and scientific evidence
• Public engagement in technical decision-making
• Citizen science and expertise dynamics
• Conceptualizing the Circular Economy
• Industrial decarbonization strategies

Publications & Projects:
His work includes systematic analyses of climate communication, environmental monitoring, and technology convergence. Recent publications address climate change framing, science-policy divides, and genomics governance.

Teaching:
Leads postgraduate course 'Science, knowledge and expertise' and advanced undergraduate 'Knowledge, expertise and policy'.