The science, technology, and society studies (STSS) community at UW was initially formed in 2007 as the Science Studies Network, an inclusive, university-wide network of faculty and graduate students sharing an interest in science studies. For several years, the Science Studies Network hosted faculty speakers, organized a quarterly colloquium series, produced a podcast, and laid the curricular groundwork to establish a certificate program for students to earn credentials in science studies.
In 2012, the network formed an interdisciplinary group, recognized by the UW Graduate School, to oversee a graduate certificate program in science, technology, and society studies (STSS). The STSS Certificate was approved by the Graduate School and the Board of Regents in May 2014, and the program officially launched in the fall of 2015.
In 2024, the websites for the Science Studies Network and the STSS Certificate Program were consolidated into a single landing page for faculty, students, prospective students, and community members to access news and information about STSS as a domain of study, a program, and a community at the University of Washington. In addition to showcasing Certificate Program information, there are range of ways to get involved in the STSS community across the UW’s campuses, including the STS minor in UW Bothell’s School of Interdisciplinary Arts & Sciences, First Monday STSS, a cross-campus online monthly reading group, and joining the longstanding ssnet listserv.
The website and new programming efforts to strengthen the intellectual community were made possible through to the establishment of Society + Technology at UW with support from the Office of the President and Provost.
The previous iterations of the Science Studies Network website and the Graduate Certificate Program website have been archived locally and are still accessible online using the Wayback Machine.