David J. Hess is a professor in the Sociology Department at Vanderbilt University and Director of Climate and Environmental Studies. His research and teaching is on the sociology, anthropology, and policy studies of science, technology, health, and the environment. He is the recipient of the Robert K. Merton Prize, the Diana Forsythe Prize, the Star-Nelkin Prize (shared with coauthors), the William H. Wiley Distinguished Faculty Award, and the General Anthropology Division Prize for Exemplary Cross-Field Scholarship. He has been a Fulbright scholar and the PI and Co-PI on grants from the National Science Foundation and other organizations.  CV.

If  you are looking for a specific paper, please go to All Research. If you wish to browse by project and topic, there are two main areas: science, technology, and publics; and industry, policy, and sustainability.

Science, Technology, and Publics

Most of my research falls under the broad category of science and technology studies (STS). I am especially interested in the public understanding of science and technology and the role of "mobilized publics," which can include scientists, advocacy organizations, reformist businesses, and social movements.  

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Industry, Policy, and Sustainability

The other main area of research is on the politics of the transition to a more sustainable economy and society and the factors that lead to the stasis or change in transition processes.  In this area of work I am interested in how industries accept or resist transition policies and in identifying diverse pathways to opening up opportunities for more rapid, just, and extensive transitions.

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Address

Department of Sociology
Vanderbilt University
PMB 351811
Nashville, TN 37235-1811