In Pursuit of a Promise: Perspectives on the Political Process to Establish the European Spallation Source (ESS) in Lund, Sweden ed. by Olof Hallonsten

Abstract

Reviewed by: In Pursuit of a Promise: Perspectives on the Political Process to Establish the European Spallation Source (ESS) in Lund, Sweden ed. by Olof Hallonsten Nina Wormbs (bio) In Pursuit of a Promise: Perspectives on the Political Process to Establish the European Spallation Source (ESS) in Lund, Sweden. Edited by Olof Hallonsten. Lund: Arkiv förlag, 2012. Pp. 230. $30.50. Big Science has been an area of investigation for historians and sociologists of science and technology for quite some time. From Derek de Solla Price onward, there have been many works on this topic, covering different disciplines, organizational modes, and geographies. Against this background, is it possible to pose new questions, or have all the answers already been given? A new Big Science project is emerging in the south of Sweden. The European Spallation Source, ESS, will be placed in Lund, a university town just around the corner from the metropolitan area of Malmö (Sweden) and Copenhagen (Denmark). Or will it really? How far along is this project after all? Olof Hallonsten et al. have taken upon themselves the study of a project that has not yet materialized. Despite its lack of a material footprint, the linear proton accelerator project still exists, as a plan, as a threat, as news, as pride, and as a promise. The eight-chapter volume could best be described as centering on research policy, even if historical and other aspects are also considered. Hallonsten and Karl-Fredrik Berggren start off by detailing the chronology [End Page 497] and the decision-making process. Examples of the planned science at ESS then follow, discussed by Berggren and Aleksandar Matic. The chapter reads much like an advertisement, lining up all the possible uses of this “superior” facility. Wilhelm Agrell analyzes the discussion of risks involved and concludes that resistance toward this project never really formed, despite the fact that information reaching the public has been both weak and contradictory. Emelie Stenborg and Mikael Klintman further this last point in their chapter on the systematic local critique from the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation in Lund. Anders Granberg also discusses the critique of the project, but in the research community. His contribution is the longest by far, fifty pages, and is notable also because of its detail. Mats Benner aims to discuss the research policy context of Big Science and in doing so compares ESS to the already existing MAX IV synchrotron radiation facility. Ironically, in Benner’s own terminology, MAX IV has had long-term support within the research community but has never become a natural part of national research policy. ESS on the other hand has weak support in the research community but serves as a national flagship on the policy level. Finally, Aant Elzinga’s contribution is of a more general character, discussing organizational principles for research and how these have changed over time. Always extremely well-read, Elzinga shows an impressive breadth of perspective, in which, however, ESS almost disappears. Overall, the volume provides good insight into Big Science in the making. In his final comment, Thomas Kaiserfeld puts the Anna Karenina principle next to the well-known symmetry principle of SSK (sociology of scientific knowledge) and its siblings. The Anna Karenina principle contends that “Realized Big Science is all alike; every failure must be explained in its own way,” which is an asymmetrical model. Kaiserfeld manages to merge the two, stressing that different perspectives and levels of analytical depth decide whether a project is Anna Karenina or SSK. The road to finalizing this enormous facility is continuously bumpy. Given the investment, the consequences for other lines of research, and the local impact, it is important that science in the making is put under scrutiny, something this volume achieves. [End Page 498] Nina Wormbs Nina Wormbs is associate professor in history of science and technology at the KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm. Copyright © 2016 Society for the History of Technology