concepts. It is defined as a situation that “…invariably includes, and may in fact be entirely constituted by, on-screen projections…”. A synthetic situation, therefore, can manifest in many ways, both informal and formal. Examples include an online video chat, playing video games against others on the Internet or even a business deal done via videoconference. This idea can be seen as a result of the advancement in technology in recent years, and adds a new dimension to Goffman’s social situation where face-to-face interaction is required. Knorr Cetina explains the difference of the two situations by the use of surgery. A Goffmanian situation occurs when there is just the surgeon and the patient. A synthetic situation arises, however, when the surgeon uses technology like a scope and a screen in order to accomplish the task at hand. Without looking at the patient through the screen, the job would not be able to be done and would remain a face-to-face, social situation. Awards and recognition 2009 John Desmond Bernal Prize from the Society for Social Studies of Science. Honorary Doctorate from the University of Lucerne 2005. Selected bibliography Books Knorr Cetina, K., & Preda, A. (2004). The sociology of financial markets. Oxford University Press. Cetina, K. K., & Preda, A. (2012). The Oxford handbook of the sociology of finance. Oxford University Press on Demand. Chapters in books Journal articles Knorr Cetina, K. (1997). Sociality with objects: social relations in postsocial knowledge societies. Theory, culture & society, 14(4), 1-30. Knorr Cetina, K., & Brugger, U. (2002). Traders' Engagement with Markets: A Postsocial Relationship. Theory Culture Society, 19(5-6), 161-185. References External links Knorr Cetina's page at the University of Chicago Knorr Cetina & Bruegger (2000) The Market as an Object of Attachment Austrian sociologists Writers from Graz 1944 births Living people Austrian women sociologists Social constructionism University of Chicago faculty