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Rensselaer Professor Langdon Winner Appointed to the Thomas Phelan Chair
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| Photo by Don Moore |
Langdon Winner, professor of science and technology studies (STS) at Rensselaer has been appointed to the newly endowed Thomas Phelan Chair in the School of Humanities and Social Sciences (H&SS). The chair was created in honor of Thomas Phelan, former dean of H&SS. Phelan, Professor Emeritus and currently serving as Rensselaer's Institute Dean and Historian, is known for his studies of the industrial history, architecture, and civic culture of the Hudson Mohawk region.
"Dr. Langdon Winner is a scholar of political science and an expert in the politics of technology. His long and distinguished record as a senior scholar, prolific writer, and highly regarded public intellectual makes him the ideal individual to assume this position," said John Harrington, Dean of H&SS. "In this arena, his work has great relevance to Dean Phelan's enduring interests in design and regional history."
Winner, an H&SS faculty member for 20 years, explores the ways in which technological choices express major developments in political society. Prior to being named to the Thomas Phelan Chair, Winner served as director of graduate studies in STS, and is now the co-director of the Center for Cultural Design in H&SS.
"I hope the opportunities presented by the Phelan Chair will serve as a catalyst for increasing faculty involvement with social, ethical, and policy questions about today's technological choices," said Winner. An important part of his work, Winner noted, is to reach out to the public, press, and leaders in community and businesses, and include them in discussions that are crucial to the future of upstate New York. "Many of the issues that concern faculty and students at Rensselaer — economy, environment, security, and the direction of society as a whole — are exactly the ones that engage people in every corner of this region," he said. "We need to listen to each other, identify problems, and seek better solutions."
As the Thomas Phelan Chair, Winner says additional priorities will include serving as a bridge builder between all five schools at Rensselaer through the development of courses, research projects, lecture series, and faculty seminars. "I want to build upon the strong tradition of scholarship established by Thomas Phelan, especially its focus upon technology and the quality of everyday life."
A native of San Luis Obispo, Calif., Winner earned his doctoral degree, master's degree, and bachelor's degree in political science at the University of California in Berkeley. He lectures widely in the United States and Europe and holds visiting professorships in Madrid, Spain and Shenyang, China.
About Thomas Phelan
Thomas Phelan came to Rensselaer in 1959 when he was appointed resident Roman Catholic chaplain. Phelan has a long legacy of achievements at Rensselaer. He served as treasurer of the Rensselaer Newman Foundation, a nonprofit educational corporation, and led the effort to create the Chapel + Cultural Center. Now in its 40th year, C+CC is a venue for a range of activities. Phelan served as dean of H&SS from 1972-1994, during which time he is credited with overseeing the renovation of Russell Sage Laboratory to bring H&SS onto the main campus, and encouraging the faculty to focus on linking technological education with the humanities. He was appointed Institute Dean and Historian in 1995. Phelan is the co-author of Rensselaer, Where Imagination Achieves the Impossible, an illustrated history of Rensselaer. |
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