Joana Formosinho is a Research Fellow at the School of Social and Political Science at the University of Edinburgh. She works within the field of science and technology studies (STS), with a particular focus on the contemporary life sciences. Her work focuses on the circulation of knowledges between biology and society; with the aim of contributing to human and ecological flourishing. She has a background in the biological sciences, and draws methodologically on qualitative, philosophical and arts-based methods.

https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Joana_Formosinho2

1. Social studies of microbiomes

In recent years, microbes have come to the forefront of attention as actors shaping social life. Work within this field focuses on two lines of enquiry. Firstly, developing concepts and methods for understanding and describing interactivity between organisms, microbiomes and the social environment. Secondly, understanding the traffic between biological, social and cultural meanings of microbiomes.

2. Social dimensions of synthetic biology

Joana currently works within an Aria-funded project, examining the social and ethical dimensions of plant synthetic biology. Her role focuses on collaborative methods for mapping out and engaging the diversity of perspectives within and about the field. This includes voices from across biological and social communities, as well as community stakeholders.

3. Inter-disciplinary and trans-disciplinary collaboration

Joana has convened and participated in a variety of spaces where researchers across fields of knowledge come together to address problems which are at once social and biological; e.g. microbiomes, conservation and antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The combined promise and difficulty of working within these spaces led her to an interest in the practice of collaboration. Previous research has focused on art-science as site of collaboration between social and biological researchers; art-science as site of ontological enquiry; and innovation in public engagement. Current research is focused on experimental governance approaches for synthetic biology of plants.