230091 UE B12 Realities of Science (2025S)

Conferences are social and communicative forms in which a scientific community asserts its existence. In discussions and presentations, the status of a discipline is made visible, while the lines between established knowledge, uncertainty and non-knowledge are explored in controversy and consensus. The conference participants are also everyday people from different societies and cultures, with varying degrees of familiarity with local conditions or with the technologies used for presentation and communication.

The Schütz Circle conference, which will take place in Vienna from 24-26 April 2025, offers the opportunity to experience a conference not only from the perspective of a (scientific) observer, but also as a member of the local organising team. In addition, these activities will be reflected upon and categorised. In this way, social and communication skills can be tested, which are necessary for looking after and accompanying conference guests.

Students will be involved in registration and reception. They will be involved in the practical and technical preparation and supervision of the panels and will provide support with all kinds of questions.

In preparation, students learn about the organisational stages of a conference, from finding a topic to planning, implementation and follow-up (e.g. documentation). At the same time, they will reflect on what constitutes competence as a sociological concept when accompanying the conference. From the perspective of the sociology of knowledge and action theory, this is understood as the ability and authority to carry out specific actions with a simultaneous institutionalised willingness to do so.