Science and Inequality

Science and Inequality by Scott Frickel and Kelly Moore illustrates how science and technology, while offering numerous benefits, also create harm that is unequally distributed across social groups and geographic regions. This incisive book offers analytical tools to comprehend how these inequalities are formed and suggests ways the field can be reorganised to fulfil its potential to enhance life for everyone.

Using diverse evidence and examples, Frickel and Moore demonstrate that science and technology are intricately linked with social inequalities, including issues of poor health, environmental degradation, racism, and sexism. They introduce the concept of "scientific inequality formations" to examine the technoscientific roots of unequal power dynamics in society.

The authors delve into topics such as the underdevelopment of non-profitable technologies, the influence of laws and markets on scientific progress, and the exclusion of certain social groups from contributing to knowledge and designing solutions pertinent to their lives.

This timely work highlights interventions that redirect science and technology towards more equitable outcomes, with the potential to be broadly shared, paving the way towards a more just future.