Design - and typology problems of trading zones

Abstract

This article is aimed to encourage discussions on the problem of the exchange of scientific and extra-scientific knowledge. The author describes this problem within the framework of the trading zone, a concept introduced by P. Galison. We suggest a typology of trading zones in terms of “Galisonian,” “Humboldtian,” and “non-Humboldtian” zones. To reveal specific characteristics of different situations in an exchange of knowledge, the allegory of the tunnel is given. The peculiarities of the exchange between scientific and extra-scientific environments are expressed through the notion of a partial alienation.