The Technological Incubators of Popular Cooperatives and the relationship between science, technology and society

This article proposes to reflect on the relationship between university and society based on the work of the Technological Incubators of Popular Cooperatives (ITCP). The question that guides the article is: based on the experience of ITCPs, is it possible to promote the construction of sociotechnical alternatives aligned with the values of solidarity economy, such as self-management and solidarity? Intending to reflect on these questions, this article presents the contributions from the Social Studies of Science and Technology. Based on this theoretical reference, the visions of science and technology in the incubator's performance are analyzed. Lastly, in the final considerations, we point out some reflections on the constructing of sociotechnical alternatives based on the performance of ITCPs and the need to overcome a vision of science and technology as something finished, neutral and intrinsically positive.