Social science and technology development: A case study of moving from observation to intervention

This paper describes a case study in Australia's national research laboratories, which brought together a technology team and a social research group to understand the context of, and ultimately shape, the development of a coal mining technology. Two theoretical frames, social constructivism and ecological modernisation, orient the discussion about science and technology and the case study experience. The paper summarises the participatory action research approach taken, the structure of participation and interaction, and the form and outcomes of the evaluation. Organisational factors were found to be significant, especially in terms of the perceived place, role of social issues, and research. Overall, the dominance of eco-modernist understandings within the organisation, while open to a technocratic critique, at least represented a partial addressing of sustainable development issues. The case study serves to emphasise the constraints upon choice in technology development.