Wiebe will be awarded this medal for his outstanding contribution to the history of technology through research, teaching, publications and other activities.
He garnered international acclaim for his research into the role of different social groups in the invention and development of the bicycle in the 19th century. His theory of social constructivism is still much-admired in the field to this day. The 1987 book The Social Construction of Technological Systems, which he co-authored with Thomas Hughes and Trevor Pinch, is on display in the museum of MIT, one of the most renowned technical universities in the United States. This book is considered one of the thirty most influential books ever published by MIT Press.
SHOT also praised his commitment to expanding research outside Europe and North America by launching a new nanotechnology programme in India and Africa. Professor Bijker has also made his mark in the world of academia, not only at Maastricht University, but as a visiting professor at other universities as well. He has developed several innovative academic programmes, supervised nearly thirty PhD students and was a member of no less than 45 evaluation committees.
The Leonardo da Vinci Medal will be presented to Professor Bijker during the annual SHOT conference held in Copenhagen this year.