Technological progress, scientific discovery, and the process of innovation give rise to social, ethical, and epistemological problems that scientists and engineers are unable to solve on their own. Moreover, the digitalization of technology and society not only make clear that the impact of technological innovation is increasingly an everyday issue rather than an exceptional one, but also that engineers and designers are playing a greater role in defining the conditions of human life and their future development. The world’s leading technological universities therefore need to equip themselves with research and teaching facilities to address such issues from the perspective of the humanities and social sciences.

META produces and disseminates critical knowledge on technoscience, and provides expertise on the ethical implications and social impacts of science and technology. More specifically, it strives to ensure that critical thinking about science and technology – as accomplished by research in ethics, philosophy of science, and social studies of technology – becomes an integral part of the research and work that are carried out at the Politecnico di Milano. META offers courses in ethics of technology, philosophy of science, innovation and society, and provides critical perspectives on science and technology to master’s students at all four Schools of the university. META also engages in public outreach initiatives to promote critical thinking about science and technology among citizens as well as the general public.