Abstract

Looking at a diamond most of the western consumers think of precious commodities, engagement rings, long-term life commitments and probably of ethical diamond sourcing. There is hardly ever a thought of diamond’s strategic significance in geopolitics and their role in international relations. Focusing on the case of emerging technologies to track rough diamonds worldwide, this paper argues that science and technology-based diplomacy runs the risk of supporting colonialism while aiming to ensure an ethically sound diamond trade.

Short Bio

Maria Rentetzi is Professor of Science, Technology, and Gender Studies at Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg. Her research explores the political and historical dimensions of technoscience, with a focus on gender as a key analytical category in scientific and technological practices. She is co-editor of Negotiating Radiation Protection (University of Pittsburgh Press, 2025) and Boxes: A Field Guide (Mattering Press, 2020); author of Living with Radiation (Cleio Press, 2025); Seduced by Radium (University of Pittsburgh Press, 2022) and The Gender of Things (Routledge, 2024).

What is an AIAS Seminar?

The AIAS Seminar Series is a session of seminars held by the AIAS fellows, AIAS Visiting or Tandem Fellows or by other speakers proposed by the fellows. In each seminar, a fellow will present and discuss her/his current research and work-in-progress to an interdisciplinary audience for 30 minutes, closing off with 30 minutes for questions, comments and discussion.

All seminars are in-person and held in English. To attend online, please contact Cecilie Horshauge at cecilie@aias.au.dk by 9:00am on the day of the semimar as the latest to request a link.