S1 Ep 1 - Donna Haraway on 'Storytelling in Science'

In this episode of The HPS Podcast, Samara interviews a member of 'HPS Royalty' - Donna Haraway, who highlights the important role of narrative and storytelling in the sciences.

For Donna, storytelling in science involves being aware of how important scientific narratives are to scientific practice, and to the ways science contributes to humanities broader 'story' of the world. Donna proposes that engaging in 'polymath curiosity' by reading more in the world of HPS and beyond can help scientists ensure they stay innovative and playful with their thinking. Donna also suggests 'thinking about thinking' is helpful. For example, not just considering relationships as being linear or hierarchical, but rather thinking in webs of interactions, like in the game of 'Cat's Cradle'. Ultimately, Donna would love everyone to appreciate more the camaraderie, sense of humour and exploratory capacities of good scientists.

Follow the links below to learn more about Donna Haraway and her work, as discussed in the episode: 

• Article: ‘A Manifesto for Cyborgs’ 1985
• Article: ‘Situated Knowledges’ 1988
• Book: Primate Visions 1989 
• Article: ‘A Game of Cat’s Cradle’ 1994
• Video: Donna Haraway Lecture ‘Making Oddkin: Story Telling for Earthly Survival’ 2017
• Video: Donna Haraway & Bruno Latour Discussing ‘Storytelling for Earthly Survival’ 2020

A transcript of the episode can also be found here.

Thanks for listening to The HPS Podcast. You can find more about us on our website, Bluesky, Instagram and Facebook feeds.

This podcast would not be possible without the support of School of Historical and Philosophical Studies at the University of Melbourne and the Hansen Little Public Humanities Grant scheme.

Music by ComaStudio.
Website HPS Podcast | hpsunimelb.org