Science & Society

Science & Society

Responsible Research & Innovation or Open Science - does the label matter?

Here, we assert that Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) and Open Science (OS) can be meaningfully compared as transformative change agendas for R&I. We propose looking for differences in terms of what motivates a transformative agenda, i.e. why do we need to open up the R&I system?

Clare Shelley-Egan + 2 others • 08-12-2020

Science & Society

Knowledge integration for societal challenges: from interdisciplinarity to research portfolio analysis

For research to address societal challenges, indicators of average degree of ‘interdisciplinarity’ are not relevant. Instead, we propose a portfolio approach to analyze knowledge integration as a systemic process; in particular, the directions, diversity and synergies of research trajectories.

Ismael Rafols • 01-12-2020

Science & Society

On 'measuring' interdisciplinarity: from indicators to indicating

Indicators of interdisciplinarity are increasingly requested. Yet efforts to make aggregate indicators have failed due to the diversity and ambiguity of understandings of interdisciplinarity. Instead of universal indicators, we propose a contextualised process of indicating interdisciplinarity.

Ismael Rafols • 30-11-2020

Science & Society

Is there a typical journal article in the field of science and technology studies?

An intermediary report from an ongoing research project to study the co-evolution of publishing practices and intellectual debates in the field of science and technology studies.

Maria Amuchastegui + 2 others • 25-11-2020

Science & Society

The unintended consequences of task specialization in research careers

Researchers collaborate specializing in specific tasks. However, the research evaluation system only rewards specific profiles of researchers, threatening the diversity of the science ecosystem.

Nicolás Robinson-García + 4 others • 23-11-2020

Science & Society

How important are bibliometrics in academic recruitment processes?

In a newly published paper in Minerva I have analyzed confidential reports from professor recruitments in four disciplines at the University of Oslo. In the paper I show how bibliometrics are used as a screening tool and not as a replacement for more traditional qualitative evaluation of candidates.

Ingvild Reymert • 20-11-2020

Science & Society

Evaluative Inquiry IV: Accountability and learning

Do research evaluations serve the purpose of accountability or of learning? We argue that they can do both and that we might as well use the energy and resources it takes to organize evaluations for both accountability and learning opportunities.

Tjitske Holtrop + 2 others • 05-11-2020

Science & Society

Incorporating the human factor in the study of universities

University evaluation is done, in part, by evaluating the papers produced by the university. However, universities don’t produce papers, right? People produce papers! In this blogpost we illustrate how you can use the number of papers produced by individuals to evaluate universities.

Juan Pablo Bascur Cifuentes + 1 other • 28-10-2020

Opinion & Commentary · Science & Society

Who benefits from science? A comment on Barry Bozeman’s ‘Public Value Science’

In a new article for Issues in S&T Barry Bozeman argues that current science policies benefit the rich more than the poor, thus reinforcing social inequalities. This blog post discusses his argument in the light of related views on how science can contribute to wider social well-being.

Ismael Rafols • 22-09-2020

Blogs

Responsible Research & Innovation or Open Science - does the label matter?

Knowledge integration for societal challenges: from interdisciplinarity to research portfolio analysis

On 'measuring' interdisciplinarity: from indicators to indicating

Is there a typical journal article in the field of science and technology studies?

The unintended consequences of task specialization in research careers

How important are bibliometrics in academic recruitment processes?

Evaluative Inquiry IV: Accountability and learning

Incorporating the human factor in the study of universities

Who benefits from science? A comment on Barry Bozeman’s ‘Public Value Science’