Diese Diplomarbeit behandelt die akademischen Zeitschriften 'Science, Technology, & Human Values' und 'Social Studies of Science' als Arenen, in denen die disziplinären, thematischen und politischen Grenzen eines entstehenden akademischen Feldes, nämlich der Wissenschafts- und Technikforschung (STS), ausverhandelt werden.

This thesis investigates the two journals 'Science, Technology, & Human Values' and 'Social Studies of Science' as sites where the disciplinary, thematic and political boundaries of the emerging academic field of STS (Science and Technology Studies or Science, Technology & Society) are constructed, contested and negotiated. The thesis first outlines the theoretical background and introduces the history of the two journals. Subsequently, it sets out to explore how, over 26 years, the boundaries of the STS field were negotiated in these journals, and how the authors and editors have positioned themselves in the emerging field. On the basis of an analysis of articles and editorial material published in the two journals, it traces the debates about the research objects of STS, its disciplinary status and relationship with adjoining academic fields and disciplines, and about the (past, present and desired) normative, social and political agenda of STS scholarship.