ABSTRACT
Women’s studies programs can promote an awareness of the science shop model for practicing science and a constructive dialogue around ways in which feminist theories can augment the practice of socially relevant and responsible science. Feminist standpoint theory is both politically and epistemologically compelling for those who wish to expand the realm of questions that are considered in science and to shift the power dynamics within and out of which scientific knowledge is created. Consistent with the goals of science shops, making science “public” requires incorporating the voices and experiences of those outside of science, those beyond the walls of the academies and industries where science tends to be conjured. Given the need for a feminist practice of science to accompany the growing body of feminist science studies literature, the science shop offers a promising structure that can help to further feminist goals of integrating theory and practice and facilitating interdisciplinary links within and between the academy and the community.
