Matjaz Vidmar

Supervisors:

Dr Alessandro Rosiello, Dr Niki Vermeulen, Prof Robin Williams

Research Interests:

Matjaz Vidmar is a doctoral student in Science, Technology and Innovation Studies at the University of Edinburgh and at the Royal Observatory Edinburgh, in Scotland, UK. He has completed a BSc (Hon) in Physics (2013), with further MSc in Science and Technology in Society (2014) and MSc by Research in Science and Technology Studies (2015), all from the University of Edinburgh.

His main research interest is in researching innovation as well as other social dimensions of Astronomy and Outer Space Exploration and Industry, using new methodological approaches and he is leading several international projects.

In his doctoral research, Matjaz is deploying ethnographic methodology to study high-tech innovation in the Space Industry, focusing on emerging networks, knowledge transfer and changes to new product development processes, in particular looking at recent (»New Space«) developments in previously peripheral countries, such as Scotland. His research is linked with applications in science policy and economic and business development, for instance by working in close partnership with the innovations arm of the UK’s Science and Technology Facilities Council and also the Innovation Caucus, a gateway between business, government and the social sciences.

At the University of Edinburgh, Matjaz is an active member of The Institute for the Study of Science, Technology and Innovation, of the Centre for Knowledge, Science and Policy (SKAPE) and of the Social Informatics Cluster. He co-convenes Social Network Analysis in Scotland (SNAS) group and IfA-STIS Interdisciplinary reading group, and is a founding member of the Social Dimensions of Outer Space (SDOS) network. He is also a university lecturer, mentor and tutor, and serves on the University’s Student Discipline Committee as well as a student representative for the Scottish Graduate School of Social Science (SGSSS).

Professionally, he is a member of the UK Association for Studies in Innovation Science and Technology (AsSIST-UK) and represents PG students and early career researchers on its Strategy Group via the Postgraduate Forum in Science, Technology and Innovation Studies (PF-STIS). He is also a member of European Association for Study of Science and Technology (EASST), a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society (RAS), a Member of the Institute of Physics (IoP) and a Member of the British Interplanetary Society (BIS), as well as a member of UK Students for the Exploration and Development of Outer Space (UK SEDS). Additionally, he is involved in several international initiatives and projects to develop the future of Space Exploration and Industry, such as serving as the Chairman and Policy Lead for the Gateway Earth Development Group, as a Deputy Chief Executive Officer at Astrosociology Research Institute, and as National Point of Contact for Slovenia at the Space Generation Advisory Council. He received several awards for his work, including the renowned Emerging Space Leader Award from the International Astronautical Federation.

Matjaz is also a STEM ambassador and science communicator, with events delivered in several countries and in leading science and arts venues and festivals, including at the world-famous Edinburgh Fringe.

Scholarships:

ESRC Studentship

Contact Details:

http://www.roe.ac.uk/~vidmar/