معرفی
Mark Paterson is a Professor of Sociology at the University of Pittsburgh, affiliated with multiple interdisciplinary programs including Cultural Studies, Gender, Sexuality and Women's Studies (GSWS), Urban Studies, and the Center for Bioethics and Health Law. His research focuses on the senses, haptic technologies, disability studies, robotics, and the sociology of consumption. Paterson holds a PhD in Human Geography from the University of Bristol and has held visiting positions at institutions worldwide, including the University of Exeter and the University of Hong Kong.
Education:
- PhD in Human Geography, University of Bristol, UK (2002)
- MA in Continental European Philosophy, University of Warwick, UK (1997)
- BA (Hons) Philosophy, University of Reading, UK (1994)
Research Interests: Paterson's work bridges sociology, geography, and technology, emphasizing historical and critical approaches to sensory experiences. His key areas include:
- Historical and theoretical approaches to the senses
- Haptic technologies, accessibility, and assistive robotics
- Disability studies, particularly histories of blindness
- Human-robot interaction and ethical design
- Sociology of the body and embodiment
- Consumption practices and urban spaces
Grants & Awards:
- Benjamin Meaker Distinguished Visiting Professorship (2024)
- President of ISA Thematic Group 07 (Senses and Society)
- Multiple research grants from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, the Dietrich School, and international institutions
Labs & Collaborations: Paterson collaborates with interdisciplinary teams on projects like wearable computing for urban ethnography, socially assistive robotics, and sensory substitution technologies. He leads initiatives on disability and experience, hosting prominent scholars like Rosemarie Garland-Thomson and Shaun Gallagher.
