Filip Rozborski
Sociotechnical Imaginary in the Making: Evolution of Hydrogen Future Discourses in Germany
Department of Society Studies, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Maastricht University
Supervisors: Prof. Dr. Harro van Lente, Dr. Kornelia Konrad
Background
Filip Rozborski is currently a research associate at the STS Unit of Graz University of Technology. He has obtained both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in Sociology and Technology Studies at the Faculty of Sociology at the Technische Universität Berlin. Throughout his studies, he received a scholarship for talented students from Cusanuswerk e.V. and took part in exchange programs at the Universidad Complutense de Madrid and the Universiteit Twente. His research for his bachelor’s thesis involved an analysis of expectations concerning hydrogen-electric vehicles. For his master’s thesis, he conducted a longitudinal investigation of expectations regarding hydrogen technologies from a multi-technological and multi-sectoral perspective. Prior to his academic journey, he gained education and experience as a mechatronics technician.
Content
Descriptions and imaginations of future sociotechnical conditions play a pivotal role in shaping collective orientations and guiding actions, ultimately influencing how transitions toward more sustainable sociotechnical systems unfold. Some visions of the future circulating in the discourses gain recognition, become institutionalized, and eventually materialize, while others fail to gain momentum. These emergent visions are deeply connected to collective knowledge and shared perceptions of past and present developments, creating a landscape where established ideas can hinder or support the emergence of new ones.
My dissertation addresses theoretical gaps in the study of sociotechnical futures, particularly expectations and sociotechnical imaginaries, within the broader context of sociotechnical transitions. Beyond its theoretical aim, the project employs hydrogen technologies as a case study to empirically investigate sociotechnical futures’ emergence and stabilization over time. The research aims to uncover the intricate discursive relationships by analyzing various discursive spheres, contributing to a deeper understanding of how these elements shape sociotechnical transitions. Finally, the goal is to advance theoretical insights into the governance of transitions, emphasizing sociotechnical futures can drive or impede progress toward sustainable change.
Publications
Burema, D., Jacobs, M. & Rozborski, F. Elusive technologies, elusive responsibilities: on the perceived responsibility of basic AI researchers. AI Ethics (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s43681-023-00358-6
