How do we study science?

Paul Wouters introduced the discussion with a presentation in which he sketched the research programme developed at the Virtual Knowledge Studio. He paid particular attention to the question to what extent and how interpretative research methodologies such as virtual ethnography can be combined with more formal approaches such as simulation and modeling. He also discussed realistic prospects for truely interdisciplinary research. Lastly, he explored the question how design of new informational tools and infrastructures can be combined with the critical analysis of these designs. The latter theme is the main motif in the work of the VKS.