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Summary

The study of complex scientific-technological systems reveals the need to consider the role of certain individual actors that link science, technology, politics and society, either acting as advisors to governments and industries or as definers, in turn, of new disciplines. and scientific fields.

In a conference given in 1952 on the theme “Research and University”, José M. Otero Navascués lamented the state of Spanish research in general and, in particular, basic research, pointing out the prevailing skepticism that reigned in the industry and even in public administration towards research. During much of his life, Otero contributed to the establishment of a technological system and the formation of a scientific and technological elite that would serve as the basis for subsequent industrial development. Outstanding is his contribution to optics and nuclear energy. Using contributions that go beyond the history of science and technology, this presentation will analyze the figure of Otero Navascués in this regard, an example of a science maker organizer of knowledge generating systems.

About Albert Presas i Puig

Albert Presas i Puig (Pompeu Fabra University, Barcelona) received his PhD from the Technische Universität Berlin. He is a professor of History of Science at the Faculty of Humanities of the UPF.

He has been a researcher at the Max Planck Institute for the History of Science in Berlin (1995-2010). His research focuses on science, culture, and power; science in the European periphery; science in authoritarian regimes; and the history of nuclear power.
Presas has an extensive editorial resume and extensive experience in cutting-edge research and coordination of excellent projects. He recently was the main coordinator of the Horizon 2020 HoNESt project (History of Nuclear Energy and Society www.honest2020.eu).