Language Matters—in Science, as in Science Studies

Abstract

In this article and the essays that follow, we would like to reconstruct Evelyn Fox Keller's 2008 tour of Taiwan and her intellectual impact on this island. Since the late 1980s a number of Taiwanese scholars, including EASTS 's founding editor-in-chief, Daiwie Fu, had taken up her insights on gender and science, but for most people it was not until her visit to National Yang-Ming University that they had the chance to actually meet her in person. Keller's attention to the technical details of scientific knowledge and its production, and her eagerness to speak to scientists of all stripes, really comes across in the speech she gave, and her efforts to expand our horizons and make connections across diverse fields serve as an admirable model for STSers in Taiwan. In her essay, Zxyyann Jane Lu, Keller's local host, reminisces about the feminist movement in Taiwan, offers her take on Keller's works, and speaks of her fond memories of Keller's easy going demeanor. An advocate on gender and science in southern Taiwan, Hsiu-yun Wang contributes an account that is both personal and contextual. By tracing her career path to gender and science, and with a survey of the field, she emphasizes the importance of Keller's talk in Kaohsiung to debates in Taiwan that continue to this day. Two scientists also provide their accounts here. Chien-Kuang Cornelia Ding, then a medical student, writes about how Keller's 2008 visit and her recent book, The Mirage of a Space between Nature and Nurture , have been a source of lasting inspiration in science. And last but not least, Li-Tang Tsai, then a student in physiotherapy who also transcribed Keller's speech, reflects upon Keller in the initial stages of her choice to pursue a career in science. The essays together not only show how Keller and her work have the capacity to speak to diverse audiences, including scientists, feminist scholars, activists, and students, but also convey her passion for intellectual and social change. —EASTS Editorial Office