Professor Adele Clarke is famous as the leading authority on situational analysis, a theory from the last century which she yet keeps fresh and inspiring for STSers. Few, however; know of her deep connection with EASTS. Back in 2006 she was invited to participate in the preparation of the journal, and she has served on its advisory board ever since. A renowned scholar and excellent mentor in the field of medical sociology (but not limited to that!). Professor Clarke is always warm to people she works with and is generous in offering insights with intellectual wit and administrative feasibility.
Thanks to her advice, EASTS, like situational analysis, has evolved into a respected source of STS with its own character: To celebrate her career and achievements, Jia-Shin Chen, our current Associate Editor and one of her students working in Asia, has very kindly written this essay reviewing the development of situational analysis.
We hope it will serve not only as an intellectual guide for those EASTS readers who have not yet felt the power of this practical concept and tool; it will also be a valuable testimony to the making of an East Asian STS that can look forward to inspiring the scholars of the next generation.
-EASTS Editorial Office
Situational analysis (SA) is a qualitative research method rooted in the traditions of grounded theory and pragmatist interactionism. Drawing broadly from contemporary social thought, it offers a powerful interdisciplinary approach now widely taken up transnationally. SA was initially developed by Adele E. Clarke, based on decades of teaching and research experience, especially in grounded theory. Clarke has long served on the advisory board of EASTS. Her enthusiasm and experience have always been a great asset to the journal, and she has guest-edited a special issue (Volume 2, Issue 3) on reproductive technoscience, gender, and the formation of contemporary East Asian modernities. She recently co-edited Situational Analysis in Practice: Mapping Relationalities Across Disciplines (2nd edition, 2022). This essay is a celebration of her fourth book on SA and an introduction to this method, particularly for our East Asian readers.
