Dear PhD Students,

You are invited to a "Master Class" with Michael Fisch, our Academic Hour invited speaker for February.

Michael is an Assistant Professor at the Anthropology Department at the University of Chicago. He did his PhD at Columbia University with Marilyn Ivy and has been working in Japan for over many years. His work straddles the divide between Science and Technology Studies (STS) and Anthropology, focusing, in his first book, on Tokyo's commuter train system and offering what he terms "The Anthropology of the Machine" (please see his forthcoming book from University of Chicago Press). His current project explores the emergence of what he calls "experimental ecologies" that in his words "work to contest, recast and reconcile disaster infrastructure in post-3.11 Japan".

During the "Master Class", the PhD students will be able to present a short description of their work and engage in conversation with Michael on a key problem they are facing. We expect students to come prepared not only to discuss their projects but also bring key questions that they are struggling with to the discussion. These can include for example, how to straddle the divide between STS and anthropology? How to include technology in your writings? How to think like a machine? Whether disasters are critical social events or ‘business as usual’? Suggestions for literature on infrastructures, experimental thinking, disaster ecologies, etc.?

The MasterClass will take place after Michael’s Academic Hour, from 16.00-17.30 – cake will be served ☺

If you are interested in taking part please sign up by sending an e-mail to Noa: noa.vaisman@cas.au.dk