Centre for the Social Study of Microbes
@cssmicrobes.bsky.social
CSSM is a Wellcome Trust center based in the University of Helsinki that serves as a hub for social scientists and artists conducting research on human-microbial relations. socialmicrobes.org
Reposted by Centre for the Social Study of Microbes
Late to the party - but at long last this wonderful collection of papers came out in the summer. Thanks @joseacanada.bsky.social and Salla Sariola for doing this together
Out now! With Salla Sariola and Matthäus Rest we argue for a more situated social analysis of microbes in our introduction to a thematic collection @estsjournal.bsky.social with fantastic contributions by @anthrobite.bsky.social @heymayahey.bsky.social A.Butcher, R.Soncco. L.Whiteley, V.Koski-Karell
Situating Microbes Within Complex Ecologies
| Engaging Science, Technology, and Society
estsjournal.org
October 28, 2025 at 11:01 AM
Late to the party - but at long last this wonderful collection of papers came out in the summer. Thanks @joseacanada.bsky.social and Salla Sariola for doing this together
SAVE THE DATE! The CSSM is organizing a conference in 2026 to celebrate its first 5 years of life. More info coming soon through this channel, our website socialmicrobes.org and our mailing list. Looking forward to welcoming you all in Helsinki!
October 21, 2025 at 7:36 AM
SAVE THE DATE! The CSSM is organizing a conference in 2026 to celebrate its first 5 years of life. More info coming soon through this channel, our website socialmicrobes.org and our mailing list. Looking forward to welcoming you all in Helsinki!
Reposted by Centre for the Social Study of Microbes
Page project for More-than-human Aquatic Relations and Algal Blooms (MARBLOOM) just went up on the website of @cssmicrobes.bsky.social Project is still a baby (22 days old) but we'll get up to some really cool stuffy soon.
www.socialmicrobes.org/projects/mar...
www.socialmicrobes.org/projects/mar...
More-than-human Aquatic Relations and Algal Blooms
MARBLOOM analyses from a social scientific perspective the changing relationship between humans and the environment in connection to algal blooms, a growing global phenomenon that is altering marine a...
www.socialmicrobes.org
September 22, 2025 at 7:56 AM
Page project for More-than-human Aquatic Relations and Algal Blooms (MARBLOOM) just went up on the website of @cssmicrobes.bsky.social Project is still a baby (22 days old) but we'll get up to some really cool stuffy soon.
www.socialmicrobes.org/projects/mar...
www.socialmicrobes.org/projects/mar...
Reposted by Centre for the Social Study of Microbes
10 days until the deadline on the 14th of August!
Looking for a #postdoc in Aquatic #STS! MARBLOOM analyses algal blooms from a social scientific perspective with emphasis on the changing relationship between humans and the environment. Position for 3+ years. Deadline 14.08.25. Link to #opencall: tinyurl.com/49wn7vzh
Postdoctoral Researcher on Aquatic Science and Technology Studies and More-than-human relations
Postdoctoral Researcher on Aquatic Science and Technology Studies and More-than-human relations
tinyurl.com
August 5, 2025 at 6:48 AM
10 days until the deadline on the 14th of August!
One of the CSSM projects is looking for a postdoc 📣! Find more information in the link.
Looking for a #postdoc in Aquatic #STS! MARBLOOM analyses algal blooms from a social scientific perspective with emphasis on the changing relationship between humans and the environment. Position for 3+ years. Deadline 14.08.25. Link to #opencall: tinyurl.com/49wn7vzh
Postdoctoral Researcher on Aquatic Science and Technology Studies and More-than-human relations
Postdoctoral Researcher on Aquatic Science and Technology Studies and More-than-human relations
tinyurl.com
July 1, 2025 at 8:13 AM
One of the CSSM projects is looking for a postdoc 📣! Find more information in the link.
Reposted by Centre for the Social Study of Microbes
With @heymayahey.bsky.social, Aliisa Talja, Yuning Chen, Marie-Louise Wöhrle, I am organizing an art&practice session at the upcoming Nordic STS in Stockholm (11-13). The session is titled 'Protocols for Knowing Microbes Otherwise' and you can register using this link: forms.gle/3xzbm8TVFRp1...
STS in and out of the Laboratory - Artistic Contributions and Exploratory Practices
Please fill out this form to register for the Artistic and Exploratory Practices sessions. We look forward to your participation! (Step 1/3)
forms.gle
June 9, 2025 at 2:12 PM
With @heymayahey.bsky.social, Aliisa Talja, Yuning Chen, Marie-Louise Wöhrle, I am organizing an art&practice session at the upcoming Nordic STS in Stockholm (11-13). The session is titled 'Protocols for Knowing Microbes Otherwise' and you can register using this link: forms.gle/3xzbm8TVFRp1...
📢 CALL FOR ENTRIES TO A NEW LEXICON: Wording and worlding with microbes – A lexicon for the microbial social
📅 Register for descriptive entries by 23 June 2025
🔎 For more information, please visit our website: www.socialmicrobes.org/current/call...
📅 Register for descriptive entries by 23 June 2025
🔎 For more information, please visit our website: www.socialmicrobes.org/current/call...
CALL FOR ENTRIES: Wording and worlding with microbes - A lexicon for the microbial social – The Centre for the Social Study of Microbes
We are excited to be inviting contributions to a new lexicon in the field of social study of microbes, titled Wording and worlding with microbes. What is the aim of this lexicon? Wording and worlding ...
www.socialmicrobes.org
June 10, 2025 at 7:17 AM
📢 CALL FOR ENTRIES TO A NEW LEXICON: Wording and worlding with microbes – A lexicon for the microbial social
📅 Register for descriptive entries by 23 June 2025
🔎 For more information, please visit our website: www.socialmicrobes.org/current/call...
📅 Register for descriptive entries by 23 June 2025
🔎 For more information, please visit our website: www.socialmicrobes.org/current/call...
📢CALL FOR APPLICATIONS: The CSSM now welcomes applications for The CSSM PhD School, held in Helsinki, 4-6 June 2025.
📅Deadline: 7 March 2025
🦠For more details, please visit our website: www.socialmicrobes.org/current/call...
📅Deadline: 7 March 2025
🦠For more details, please visit our website: www.socialmicrobes.org/current/call...
CALL FOR APPLICATIONS: CSSM PhD School in June 2025 – The Centre for the Social Study of Microbes
At present, research on microbes – whether in social sciences or in life sciences and biomedicine – is undergoing dramatic changes. A boom of microbiome research since the early 2000s has shown that m...
www.socialmicrobes.org
February 4, 2025 at 2:08 PM
📢CALL FOR APPLICATIONS: The CSSM now welcomes applications for The CSSM PhD School, held in Helsinki, 4-6 June 2025.
📅Deadline: 7 March 2025
🦠For more details, please visit our website: www.socialmicrobes.org/current/call...
📅Deadline: 7 March 2025
🦠For more details, please visit our website: www.socialmicrobes.org/current/call...
📣CALL FOR APPLICATIONS: CSSM grant for seminar exploring human-microbial relations!
📅DL: 28 February 2025
🦠For more details please visit our website:
www.socialmicrobes.org/current/call...
📅DL: 28 February 2025
🦠For more details please visit our website:
www.socialmicrobes.org/current/call...
CALL FOR APPLICATIONS: Grant for seminar exploring human-microbial relations – The Centre for the Social Study of Microbes
The Centre for the Social Study of Microbes at the University of Helsinki aims to develop theory and methods to better make sense of the complex relations between humans, nonhumans, microbes, and thei...
www.socialmicrobes.org
January 16, 2025 at 8:44 AM
📣CALL FOR APPLICATIONS: CSSM grant for seminar exploring human-microbial relations!
📅DL: 28 February 2025
🦠For more details please visit our website:
www.socialmicrobes.org/current/call...
📅DL: 28 February 2025
🦠For more details please visit our website:
www.socialmicrobes.org/current/call...
✨The outcomes of the foundational Microbial Lives project were celebrated among the CSSM members and network in a wonderful Final Symposium! A big thank you to @koneensaatio.fi for supporting our work on the ever more interesting human-microbe relations for the past six years!
December 3, 2024 at 1:09 PM
✨The outcomes of the foundational Microbial Lives project were celebrated among the CSSM members and network in a wonderful Final Symposium! A big thank you to @koneensaatio.fi for supporting our work on the ever more interesting human-microbe relations for the past six years!
📢Attention all artists! OPEN CALL for the CSSM Artist-in-Residence 2025 is open until this Sunday!
We look forward to your applications!
⏰DL: 1st December 2024
🦠Check out the details on our website: www.socialmicrobes.org/current/open...
We look forward to your applications!
⏰DL: 1st December 2024
🦠Check out the details on our website: www.socialmicrobes.org/current/open...
OPEN CALL for CSSM artist-in-residence in 2025 – The Centre for the Social Study of Microbes
The Centre for the Social Study of Microbes is pleased to announce the open call for its artist residency in Helsinki in spring/summer 2025. Artists are invited to submit proposals that aim to produce...
www.socialmicrobes.org
November 25, 2024 at 8:17 AM
📢Attention all artists! OPEN CALL for the CSSM Artist-in-Residence 2025 is open until this Sunday!
We look forward to your applications!
⏰DL: 1st December 2024
🦠Check out the details on our website: www.socialmicrobes.org/current/open...
We look forward to your applications!
⏰DL: 1st December 2024
🦠Check out the details on our website: www.socialmicrobes.org/current/open...
OPEN CALL for CSSM fellowships in spring 2025!
We are looking for three scholars, currently at any career stage, to join us in Helsinki for 1-3 months.
🗓️DL: 5th December 2024
🔬Check out the details on our website: www.socialmicrobes.org/current/call...
We are looking for three scholars, currently at any career stage, to join us in Helsinki for 1-3 months.
🗓️DL: 5th December 2024
🔬Check out the details on our website: www.socialmicrobes.org/current/call...
CALL FOR APPLICATIONS: CSSM Visiting Fellowships for Spring 2025 (April-June) – The Centre for the Social Study of Microbes
The Centre for the Social Study of Microbes at the University of Helsinki is looking for fellows for the Spring 2025. The next period is April to June 2025. The annual CSSM fellowship is awarded to th...
www.socialmicrobes.org
November 12, 2024 at 8:15 AM
OPEN CALL for CSSM fellowships in spring 2025!
We are looking for three scholars, currently at any career stage, to join us in Helsinki for 1-3 months.
🗓️DL: 5th December 2024
🔬Check out the details on our website: www.socialmicrobes.org/current/call...
We are looking for three scholars, currently at any career stage, to join us in Helsinki for 1-3 months.
🗓️DL: 5th December 2024
🔬Check out the details on our website: www.socialmicrobes.org/current/call...
OPEN CALL for the CSSM Artist-in-Residence 2025!
Join us to create new ways of knowing microbes!
🗓️DL: 1st December 2024
🦠Check out the details on our website: www.socialmicrobes.org/current/open...
Join us to create new ways of knowing microbes!
🗓️DL: 1st December 2024
🦠Check out the details on our website: www.socialmicrobes.org/current/open...
OPEN CALL for CSSM artist-in-residence in 2025 – The Centre for the Social Study of Microbes
The Centre for the Social Study of Microbes is pleased to announce the open call for its artist residency in Helsinki in spring/summer 2025. Artists are invited to submit proposals that aim to produce...
www.socialmicrobes.org
November 12, 2024 at 8:13 AM
OPEN CALL for the CSSM Artist-in-Residence 2025!
Join us to create new ways of knowing microbes!
🗓️DL: 1st December 2024
🦠Check out the details on our website: www.socialmicrobes.org/current/open...
Join us to create new ways of knowing microbes!
🗓️DL: 1st December 2024
🦠Check out the details on our website: www.socialmicrobes.org/current/open...
CSSM PhD School 2024 kicks off with an introductory talk by Salla Sariola! We are thrilled to welcome 15 doctoral researchers in Helsinki and look forward to learning with and from the next generation of microbial scholars in the coming three days.
June 12, 2024 at 8:11 AM
CSSM PhD School 2024 kicks off with an introductory talk by Salla Sariola! We are thrilled to welcome 15 doctoral researchers in Helsinki and look forward to learning with and from the next generation of microbial scholars in the coming three days.
Curious about microbes and senses? Sign up for CSSM Sensory Week on 27–31 May! We are hosting activities that engage with microbes through the senses, including sound, smell, taste, vision & touch. In-person participation only (in Helsinki), registration closes on 22 May. forms.gle/DsgKL2uF2hPL...
CSSM Sensory Week registration form
The Centre for the Social Study of Microbes is organising a Sensory Week on 27–31 May 2024. Over the course of five days, we will host activities that engage with the senses, including sound, smell, t...
forms.gle
May 15, 2024 at 7:29 AM
Curious about microbes and senses? Sign up for CSSM Sensory Week on 27–31 May! We are hosting activities that engage with microbes through the senses, including sound, smell, taste, vision & touch. In-person participation only (in Helsinki), registration closes on 22 May. forms.gle/DsgKL2uF2hPL...
“I think about the temporal justifications in most of these toxicants and how our human penchant for short-term capital-gain should have us be called Homo myopiens.”
@heymayahey.bsky.social reviews “Toxic Transits” at Hagströmer Library, open until May 8!
www.socialmicrobes.org/current/revi...
@heymayahey.bsky.social reviews “Toxic Transits” at Hagströmer Library, open until May 8!
www.socialmicrobes.org/current/revi...
April 16, 2024 at 1:32 PM
“I think about the temporal justifications in most of these toxicants and how our human penchant for short-term capital-gain should have us be called Homo myopiens.”
@heymayahey.bsky.social reviews “Toxic Transits” at Hagströmer Library, open until May 8!
www.socialmicrobes.org/current/revi...
@heymayahey.bsky.social reviews “Toxic Transits” at Hagströmer Library, open until May 8!
www.socialmicrobes.org/current/revi...
"In the still sharpness of the pictures, I get a feeling of an undercurrent and loud noise. Is this the microbial?"
Read our latest blog post to find out how Faidon Papadakis, a doctoral researcher at the CSSM, searches for the microbial in the garden. #STS
www.socialmicrobes.org/current/what...
Read our latest blog post to find out how Faidon Papadakis, a doctoral researcher at the CSSM, searches for the microbial in the garden. #STS
www.socialmicrobes.org/current/what...
What/where is the microbial in the garden? – The Centre for the Social Study of Microbes
The popularisation of microbiology, from school biology classes to popular science books and online materials, produces an idea of lively activity all the way down to a very small scale, a presence of...
www.socialmicrobes.org
March 19, 2024 at 8:36 AM
"In the still sharpness of the pictures, I get a feeling of an undercurrent and loud noise. Is this the microbial?"
Read our latest blog post to find out how Faidon Papadakis, a doctoral researcher at the CSSM, searches for the microbial in the garden. #STS
www.socialmicrobes.org/current/what...
Read our latest blog post to find out how Faidon Papadakis, a doctoral researcher at the CSSM, searches for the microbial in the garden. #STS
www.socialmicrobes.org/current/what...
We are thrilled to announce that Alma Heikkilä is the new artist-in-residence at the CSSM! By working with painting, installation and sculpture, Alma makes space and time for wondering and digesting scientific accounts that challenge familiar ways of thinking.
www.socialmicrobes.org/current/alma...
www.socialmicrobes.org/current/alma...
Alma Heikkilä starts as the new artist-in-residence at CSSM – The Centre for the Social Study of Microbes
We are happy to announce that Alma Heikkilä is the new artist-in-residence at the CSSM. Through painting, installation and sculpture, Alma examines things that are difficult to experience through the ...
www.socialmicrobes.org
February 27, 2024 at 1:32 PM
We are thrilled to announce that Alma Heikkilä is the new artist-in-residence at the CSSM! By working with painting, installation and sculpture, Alma makes space and time for wondering and digesting scientific accounts that challenge familiar ways of thinking.
www.socialmicrobes.org/current/alma...
www.socialmicrobes.org/current/alma...
Do you want to develop your PhD research and explore microbial questions with inspiring researchers in summery Helsinki? Apply to the CSSM PhD School in June! Applications open until 31 March.
#STS #FeministSky #histsci #sociology
www.socialmicrobes.org/current/call...
#STS #FeministSky #histsci #sociology
www.socialmicrobes.org/current/call...
February 26, 2024 at 8:13 AM
Do you want to develop your PhD research and explore microbial questions with inspiring researchers in summery Helsinki? Apply to the CSSM PhD School in June! Applications open until 31 March.
#STS #FeministSky #histsci #sociology
www.socialmicrobes.org/current/call...
#STS #FeministSky #histsci #sociology
www.socialmicrobes.org/current/call...
Applications are now open for the CSSM PhD School 2024! Join us in Helsinki this June to develop your research in a supportive atmosphere and get mentoring from CSSM researchers.
📍 Helsinki, June 12–14, 2024
🗓️ Application deadline: March 31, 2024
www.socialmicrobes.org/current/call...
📍 Helsinki, June 12–14, 2024
🗓️ Application deadline: March 31, 2024
www.socialmicrobes.org/current/call...
CALL FOR APPLICATIONS: CSSM PhD School in June 2024 – The Centre for the Social Study of Microbes
The Centre for the Social Study of Microbes is happy to announce that we are now accepting applications to our annual PhD School in Helsinki on June 12–14, 2024. The PhD School is a unique opportunity...
www.socialmicrobes.org
February 15, 2024 at 11:37 AM
Applications are now open for the CSSM PhD School 2024! Join us in Helsinki this June to develop your research in a supportive atmosphere and get mentoring from CSSM researchers.
📍 Helsinki, June 12–14, 2024
🗓️ Application deadline: March 31, 2024
www.socialmicrobes.org/current/call...
📍 Helsinki, June 12–14, 2024
🗓️ Application deadline: March 31, 2024
www.socialmicrobes.org/current/call...
We now have a newsletter! Read to find out about upcoming events, calls for papers & new publications pushing forward the social study of microbes.
Subscribe to our mailing list to receive all future newsletters: forms.gle/VEbC3Z1uW3kU...
Subscribe to our mailing list to receive all future newsletters: forms.gle/VEbC3Z1uW3kU...
CSSM news: Several upcoming events and new publications
mailchi.mp
February 6, 2024 at 7:21 AM
We now have a newsletter! Read to find out about upcoming events, calls for papers & new publications pushing forward the social study of microbes.
Subscribe to our mailing list to receive all future newsletters: forms.gle/VEbC3Z1uW3kU...
Subscribe to our mailing list to receive all future newsletters: forms.gle/VEbC3Z1uW3kU...
Visiting fellow Antonia Modelhart reflects on her experiences at the CSSM:
"My world became bigger in turning more seriously, with widened eyes, sensitized hands, and sharpened senses to the very small ones ..." 🦠
www.socialmicrobes.org/current/in-s...
"My world became bigger in turning more seriously, with widened eyes, sensitized hands, and sharpened senses to the very small ones ..." 🦠
www.socialmicrobes.org/current/in-s...
"In sickness and in health food", and beyond: making space for microbes at the CSSM – The Centre f...
By Antonia Modelhart I remember walking home after one literature discussion at the CSSM, feeling intimidated and a little bit down about how small my world is and how there is only so much I (can) kn...
www.socialmicrobes.org
December 8, 2023 at 9:04 AM
Visiting fellow Antonia Modelhart reflects on her experiences at the CSSM:
"My world became bigger in turning more seriously, with widened eyes, sensitized hands, and sharpened senses to the very small ones ..." 🦠
www.socialmicrobes.org/current/in-s...
"My world became bigger in turning more seriously, with widened eyes, sensitized hands, and sharpened senses to the very small ones ..." 🦠
www.socialmicrobes.org/current/in-s...
Ferment Radio is now up on our website! 📻
Listen to this fascinating podcast by CSSM member Aga Pokrywka to learn more about the world of microbes with the guidance of artists, researchers, chefs, activists, and other microbial experts.
www.socialmicrobes.org/ferment-radio/
Listen to this fascinating podcast by CSSM member Aga Pokrywka to learn more about the world of microbes with the guidance of artists, researchers, chefs, activists, and other microbial experts.
www.socialmicrobes.org/ferment-radio/
Ferment Radio – The Centre for the Social Study of Microbes
Together with people from very diverse backgrounds, including science, gastronomy, and arts, we reflect, discuss, and bubble along with microbes to give legacy to unusual perspectives.
www.socialmicrobes.org
December 7, 2023 at 7:30 AM
Ferment Radio is now up on our website! 📻
Listen to this fascinating podcast by CSSM member Aga Pokrywka to learn more about the world of microbes with the guidance of artists, researchers, chefs, activists, and other microbial experts.
www.socialmicrobes.org/ferment-radio/
Listen to this fascinating podcast by CSSM member Aga Pokrywka to learn more about the world of microbes with the guidance of artists, researchers, chefs, activists, and other microbial experts.
www.socialmicrobes.org/ferment-radio/
And our call for external seminars is also open until the 17th of December!
Another call for applications from the Centre for the Social Study of Microbes. Would you like to organise a seminar/workshop/event to think about human-microbial relations? Check the link below.
Deadline: 17th of December.
Deadline: 17th of December.
CALL FOR APPLICATIONS: Grants for seminars exploring human-microbial relations – The Centre for th...
CSSM, the Centre for the Social Study of Microbes at the University of Helsinki, is a hub for social scientists and artists conducting research on human-microbial relations. We aim to develop theory a...
www.socialmicrobes.org
December 4, 2023 at 3:42 PM
And our call for external seminars is also open until the 17th of December!
Reposted by Centre for the Social Study of Microbes
The CSSM enters bluesky with a bang: It's call for fellowships time again! Come and hang out with us in Helsinki next spring.
OPEN CALL for CSSM fellowships in spring 2024!
We are looking for three scholars from any career stage to join us in Helsinki for 1-3 months. Check out the details on our website: www.socialmicrobes.org/current/call...
⏰ Deadline: 5 January 2024
We are looking for three scholars from any career stage to join us in Helsinki for 1-3 months. Check out the details on our website: www.socialmicrobes.org/current/call...
⏰ Deadline: 5 January 2024
CALL FOR APPLICATIONS: CSSM Fellowships for spring 2024 (April-June) – The Centre for the Social S...
The CSSM fellowship is awarded to three scholars from any career stage annually. During their stay, fellows will work on their own projects while engaging in the academic life of CSSM, the Centre for ...
www.socialmicrobes.org
December 4, 2023 at 3:39 PM
The CSSM enters bluesky with a bang: It's call for fellowships time again! Come and hang out with us in Helsinki next spring.