Dr Sabina Leonelli

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Extension: 5137

Telephone: 01392 725137

Senior Lecturer

 

I pursue an approach to philosophy of science that is grounded on the empirical study of scientific practices, as informed by historical research, ethnographic methods used in the social and anthropological studies of science and technology, and collaboration with practicing scientists. I am involved in several interdisciplinary networks, such as the Knowledge/Value network led by the Department of Anthropology at the University of Chicago, and I am a member of the organising boards of the UK Network for the Integrated History and Philosophy of Science, the Society for the Philosophy of Science in Practice and the European Advanced School for the Philosophy of Biology. I am also an elected member of the Society of Biology, and I have recently founded the UK network for the History, Philosophy and Sociology of Plant Science. I am very interested in the social and political roles of science: I currently serve as an elected member to the Global Young Academy and as an ex officio member of the steering committee of GARNet. 

My research spans the fields of history and philosophy of biology, science and technology studies and general philosophy of science. My current work focuses on the philosophy and sociology of e-science and bioinformatics, especially the rhetorics of 'data-driven research', its relation to practices of data handling online and experimentation, and the role of digital technologies and automation in biological and biomedical research -- particularly model organism biology and plant science. My research is divided into two main strands (follow the hyperlinks for more information):

1. Philosophical Issues in Bioinformatics:

I explore the epistemological and ontological assumptions underlying the choice of taxonomies in bioinformatics (particularly bio-ontologies), and I investigate the epistemology of so-called 'data-driven' modes of research. I am also interested in how collective modes of inquiry and division of labor, as instantiated through cyberinfrastructures, affect scientific modes of understanding; and in how technologies for data dissemination and modeling affect scientific integration.

2. The History and Epistemology of Model Organism Research:

I focus on the use of model organisms in the second half of the 20th century, with specific attention to plant biology and the model organism Arabidopsis thaliana. This case, together with my work on bioinformatics, enables me to reflect more broadly on the historical roots and new characteristics of 21st century biology, and particularly on the relation between the knowledge that is produced and the recent changes in the infrastructure and institutionalisation of research; and between basic and applied modes of research in plant science.

Further, I am part of the EPSRC-funded project 'Evolving Controllers and Controlling Evolution', a collaborative project involving the laboratories of Dr Orkun Soyer, Dr Ozgur Akman and Prof Declan Bates (University of Exeter), and Dr Maureen O'Malley (University of Sydney).  We are investigating epistemological issues arising from interdisciplinary research involving engineering (and particularly control theory) and evolutionary systems biology.

For further information about my work, see my Egenis page  http://www.genomicsnetwork.ac.uk/egenis/people/academicstaff/forename,3875,en.html .