Klasien Horstman
Papers
2
Total Citations
79
H-Index
2
About
Klasien Horstman is a leading scholar in the sociology of health and innovation, whose work critically examines how medical technologies are adopted, valued, and contested in practice. Her research lies at the intersection of science and technology studies (STS), public health ethics, and the politics of evidence. She is best known for her pioneering analysis of the da Vinci surgical robot, particularly in her highly cited 2014 study (68 citations) that explored the adoption dynamics of this technology in the Netherlands, revealing how its "affordances" shaped clinical uptake beyond mere technical efficacy. Horstman’s work challenges simplistic narratives of technological progress, showing how controversies over robotic surgery persist even after decades of use—as in her 2019 paper (11 citations) on the value profile of robotic prostate surgery. Her contributions illuminate how evidence itself becomes a site of negotiation, influencing procurement and public provision decisions. A professor at Maastricht University, Horstman has shaped debates on responsible innovation and the societal embedding of health technologies, making her a vital voice for students and researchers navigating the complex interplay between medicine, technology, and society.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
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