Robin Williams

Robin Williams is Professor of Social Research on Technology and Director of Institute for the Study of Science Technology and Innovation (ISSTI) in the School of Social and Political Science at the University of Edinburgh. He led Edinburgh’s successful bid under the ESRC Programme on Information and Communication Technologies (1987-95) which formed the basis for an interdisciplinary programme of research into ‘the social shaping of technology’ with over 60 externally funded research projects. This culminated in the establishment of ISSTI, which brings together researchers across the University of Edinburgh in Science, Technology and Innovation Studies. Much of this research is conducted in collaboration with practitioners and specialists from science and engineering. Robin’s personal research trajectory focuses on the design, implementation, use and outcomes of information and communication technologies. He has published a number of books including How Industry Analysts Shape the Digital Future​ (2016, with Neil Pollock), Software and Organisation (2009, with Neil Pollock) and Social Learning in Technological Innovation (2005, with James Stewart and Roger Slack).