Taiwan Insight

Mastering Science, Technology and Society: Developing Taitung’s Perspective

13 May 2024 Yu-Chen

Written by Eric Siu-kei Cheng. Science and Technology Studies (STS) is an interdisciplinary field that explores the co-production between technology and society. Taiwanese scholars adopt the lens of STS to explore diverse topics and provide critical insights to public policies and social activism. The upcoming 2024 annual meeting of the Taiwan STS Association, to be held in Taitung City, will focus on the theme of “rhythm,” exploring the role of time, temporality, and timing in the context of STS.

A Short History of Semiconductor Technology in Taiwan during the 1970s and the 1980s

10 May 2024 Yu-Chen

Written by Ling-Ming Huang. Taiwan’s semiconductor industry grew significantly in the 1970s and 1980s, driven by important government-led strategies aimed at developing manufacturing capabilities for integrated circuit (IC) products in Taiwan. These initiatives laid the foundation for Taiwan’s global dominance in the semiconductor sector and facilitated the establishment of key corporations like TSMC.

Can ‘Taiwan’s Citizen Power Plant’ lead to energy autonomy in Taiwan?

8 May 2024 Yu-Chen

Written by Hui-Tzu Huang. The development of citizen power plants in Taiwan faces challenges such as the commercialization of energy cooperatives, centralized power grid infrastructure, and inconsistent regulations. Despite these obstacles, this article highlights the potential of citizen power plants to raise public awareness of energy issues and promote energy autonomy.

Digital Archiving for Just Transitions 

3 May 2024 Yu-Chen

Written by Tim Schütz. This article explores the Kaohsiung Asthma Files Archive. This public-facing research archive gathers a diverse range of data to tell multi-faceted stories of Kaohsiung’s industrial sites and their transformations. It is also part of the global environmental justice data initiative, which fosters learning and knowledge sharing across locations through digital exchanges.

Analysing Taiwan’s Egg Freezing Discourse from a Gender Perspective

1 May 2024 Yu-Chen

Written by Chia-Yun Lee. This article examines marketing narratives in fertility clinics, social media, and mainstream online media, revealing how egg freezing in Taiwanese society is seen as a form of insurance and a means to empower women. However, this technology also leads to personalising the risks of female infertility and reinforces social expectations of traditional gender roles.

Destabilising Taiwanese: A Case Study of Taoyuan Martyrs’ Shrine

29 April 2024 Adrian Chiu

Written by Ai-Ting Chung. This article examines the changing discourse around the Taoyuan Martyrs’ Shrine since it was built in 1938. The author argues that it demonstrates the transformation of Taiwan’s national identity shaped by coloniality and the impact of neoliberalism in turning identity as consumable products.

A Decade Later: What Is the Lasting Impact of the Sunflower and Umbrella Movements on Political Activism?

26 April 2024 Adrian Chiu

Written by Chun-yi Lee. This article reflects on the relevance of the Sunflower and Umbrella Movement today. Looking at the case of media freedom, the author highlights the importance of civil society guarding against authoritarian expansion and democratic consolidation. The movements remind of the fight against authoritarian power.

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