Jessica Mesman

Jessica Mesman is a Full Professor in the Department of Technology and Society Studies at Maastricht University's Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Her research focuses on Science and Technology Studies (STS), with an emphasis on healthcare practices such as ICUs, surgery, and emergency care. She is internationally recognized for her work on 'exnovation,' which highlights the inherent strengths of existing practices through collaborative methodologies like Video-Reflexive Ethnography (VRE). Her current research explores navigating complexity in healthcare, combining innovation with scientific inquiry.

Her career includes roles as Associate Dean of Education (2016–2020) and leadership in interdisciplinary initiatives, including the Maastricht University Science and Technology Studies (MUSTS) program and the Netherlands Graduate School of Science, Technology and Modern Culture (WTMC). She has published extensively, including award-winning monographs and contributions to peer-reviewed journals.

Research Interests:

• Science, Technology & Medicine Studies
• Video-Reflexive Ethnography (VRE)
• Exnovation
• Medical Anthropology/Sociology
• Patient Safety

Awards:

• Sociology of Health and Illness Best Book of the Year 2009
• NVBe Prize 2007 (Dutch Association for Bioethics)

Her international collaborations span institutions like the Mayo Clinic, King’s College London, and the Australian National University. She actively engages in teaching STS across multiple academic levels and institutions globally, emphasizing interdisciplinary and practice-oriented education.