Latour, Bruno

Bruno Latour (b. 1947), French social theorist of science, technology, and politics, was at the forefront of the development and refinement of actor-network theory (ANT) and the emergence of science and technology studies (STS) in Europe. His work has been influential in North American science studies, and many of his concepts have [Page 434]traveled across disciplinary divides. Latour was born in Beaune in the Burgundy region of France, to a family noted for their wine production. Educated in Dijon, he was trained in philosophy and received his PhD from the University of Tours in 1975. During his military service, which brought him to North Africa, Latour became interested in developing anthropological models to examine modern knowledge-producing institutions and practices. He has developed a critical perspective ...