Best books on sociology of science

As AI, particularly Large Language Models (LLMs), increasingly impacts knowledge production and communication, this book provides a timely sociological and philosophical examination of their implications for science and society. It offers a critical introduction to LLMs and their communicative aspects, making it highly relevant for contemporary STS.

This ethnographic study provides a foundational understanding of how scientific facts are not merely discovered but actively constructed through social processes within a laboratory setting. It is considered quintessential reading for anyone entering the sociology of science or STS, detailing the negotiations and inscriptions involved in knowledge production.

Thomas Kuhn's seminal work fundamentally reshaped the philosophy and sociology of science by introducing the concept of 'paradigm shifts.' It argues that scientific progress is not linear but occurs through revolutionary changes in dominant theoretical frameworks, highlighting the social and historical context of scientific knowledge.

This influential work provides a theoretical framework for understanding how knowledge, including scientific knowledge, is created, institutionalized, and maintained in society. It emphasizes the crucial role of social interaction in shaping our understanding of reality, making it foundational for the sociology of science.

A foundational text for the 'Strong Programme' in the sociology of scientific knowledge (SSK), this book argues for a symmetrical approach to explaining scientific beliefs. Bloor posits that all scientific beliefs, regardless of their truth or falsity, should be explained by sociological factors, challenging traditional views of scientific objectivity.

Knorr-Cetina's work offers a nuanced empirical approach to understanding the diversity of scientific practices by introducing the concept of 'epistemic cultures.' It explores how different scientific fields develop distinct mechanisms for producing, validating, and communicating knowledge, making it highly relevant for comparative studies in STS.

Pierre Bourdieu applies his influential sociological framework, including concepts like field, habitus, and capital, to analyze the scientific field itself. This book provides a critical sociological lens for understanding the power struggles, competition, and social conditions that shape scientific production and autonomy.

This book offers crucial historical and sociological insights into how quantitative methods gain legitimacy and authority. Porter examines the development of quantification and objectivity, arguing that 'trust in numbers' often arises from a need for impersonal authority in diverse social settings, which is highly relevant in an era dominated by data.

Jasanoff's work analyzes the critical role of scientific advisory bodies in shaping public policy, particularly in the United States. It explores how scientific expertise becomes intertwined with political decision-making and the challenges of maintaining democratic accountability, remaining highly relevant for understanding the interface between science, policy, and governance.

Yuval Noah Harari's anticipated work is expected to trace the history of information from ancient structures to current AI systems. Its focus on information networks and AI will offer significant sociological insights into the impact of technology on knowledge, power, and human society, making it highly relevant for contemporary STS discussions.

This book directly addresses the evolving organization and practice of science in an increasingly automated and technologically advanced world. Its focus on 'research enterprise' and the 'age of machines' makes it a highly relevant and current contribution to the sociology of science, examining how technology reshapes scientific work.

This book directly addresses the sociological implications of digital technologies in healthcare, a significant area within the sociology of science and technology. It examines how these technologies shape practices of care and social organization, offering current insights into the intersection of technology, health, and society.

This edited volume offers a unique and current perspective on the interdisciplinary boundaries of science. It examines how artistic practices can shed light on the social and cultural dimensions of cutting-edge scientific fields like synthetic biology, providing fresh insights into the sociology of scientific knowledge.

This book provides an empirical examination of the experiences of women academics in scientific fields within Switzerland. It contributes significantly to the sociology of science by focusing on issues of gender, inequality, and institutional structures within scientific communities, offering current insights into diversity and inclusion in academia.

This volume offers a contemporary look at the methodological diversity within science and how disciplinary contexts shape scientific practice. It explores how the scientific method is understood and applied across various academic disciplines, which is a core concern of the sociology of science.

This book offers a broad, interdisciplinary perspective on the cultural and conceptual foundations of science. It explores science's relationship with religion, philosophy, ethics, and socio-economic changes, providing an overview of its metaphysical contexts and historical forms, which is highly relevant for understanding the societal embedding of scientific knowledge.

This book provides valuable non-Western perspectives on the sociology of technology. Through case studies from India, it highlights how cultural and social factors shape the adoption and impact of technology, contributing to a more diverse and globally informed understanding of Science and Technology Studies (STS).

This work offers a comparative and culturally sensitive approach to the sociology of science. It explores how different cultural understandings of nature in Eastern and Western contexts can generate alternate views on science, challenging universalist assumptions and enriching our understanding of diverse scientific perspectives.

Although published in 2021, Kate Crawford's critical analysis of AI's societal and environmental impact remains highly relevant and foundational for understanding the sociology of AI and its ethical implications in 2026. It examines the hidden costs and power structures behind artificial intelligence, from resource extraction to labor exploitation.