Andrew Balmer
Papers
1
Total Citations
46
H-Index
1
About
Andrew Balmer’s research sits at the intersection of science and technology studies, social theory, and the sociology of knowledge work. His major contributions centre on how digitalisation transforms everyday scientific labour, particularly in the biosciences. In his widely discussed paper, “The digitalisation paradox of everyday scientific labour” (2022, 46 citations), Balmer reveals a counterintuitive effect: rather than simplifying scientific work, automation and digital tools amplify and diversify mundane tasks, creating new forms of complexity and relational demands. Drawing on ethnographic, interview, and survey data from synthetic biology, he offers a sociomaterial account of how scientists’ daily practices are reshaped by technology. This work challenges simplistic narratives of efficiency and has influenced debates on research culture, labour, and infrastructure in contemporary science. Balmer’s scholarship is notable for its methodological richness and its capacity to make visible the often-invisible work that sustains scientific innovation. His insights are essential reading for students and researchers interested in the real-world dynamics of knowledge production in the digital age.
Research Focus
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Top Papers
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