Conference: "Understanding Techno-Utopias Across the East-West Divide: Creators, Enablers, and Audiences"

Kick-off-Meeting of the Joint Ukrainian-Swiss Research Project "Testing the Soviet Utopia: The Social History of Technologies in Ukraine, 1922-1991"

The aspiration to build a just and prosperous society through technological development is deeply ingrained in modern political cultures. In the 20^th century, both socialist and capitalist societies framed their growth narratives through techno-utopian visions. These visions imagined bridges to a painless and effortless future, shaping social imperatives about work and everyday lifestyles.

Constructed in diverse languages and dialects, the techno-utopian visions of the 20^th century reflected differing—and at times conflicting—interpretations of pathways to an advanced future. They emphasized various priorities: the leading roles of men or women, urban or rural areas, heavy or light industry, and material or immaterial wealth. The First and Second World Wars, the Great Depression (1929–1939), the Oil Crisis of 1973–1974, the fall of the Soviet Union, and other significant events challenged the optimism embedded in techno-utopian visions, prompting their reinterpretation.

This meeting marks the initial phase of the joint Swiss-Ukrainian research project "Testing Soviet Utopia: Social History of Technologies in Ukraine, 1922–1991." The kick-off meeting aims to advance methodologies for studying the history of technology in non-Russian Soviet contexts while situating Ukrainian experiences within global histories of technology.

The event invites contributions on various aspects of technological history in Eastern and Western Europe, as well as discussions about the influence of techno-utopian narratives. Equally welcome are topics covering state policies and communications (e.g., industrialization, digitalization, technical education, space programs), the construction of large-scale infrastructures (e.g., roadbuilding, railways, electrification, telecommunications, water management), and everyday aspects of user technologies (e.g., medical equipment, bicycles, motorcycles, tape recorders, and cameras).

Flyer will follow soon.

Veranstaltung übernehmen als iCal