Scientific Establishments and HierarchiesN. Elias, H. Martins, Richard P. Whitley, Richard Whitley In recent years sociologists of sciences have become more interested in scien tific elites, in the way they direct and control the development of sciences and, beyond that, in which the organization of research facilities and resources generally affects research strategies and goals. In this volume we focus on scientific establishments and hierarchies as a means of bringing aspects of these concerns together in their historical and comparative contexts. These terms draw attention to the fact that much scientific work has been pursued within a highly specific organizational setting, that of universities and aca demic research institutes. The effects of this organizational setting as well as its power relations, and its resources in relation to governmental and other non-scientific establishments in society at large, deserve closer attention. One significant aspect of scientific establishments and hierarchies and of the power relations impinging upon scientific research, is the fact that the bulk of leading scientists have the professional career, qualifications and status of a professor. As heads or senior members of departments, institutes and laboratories, professors form the ruling groups of scientific work. They are the main defenders of scientific - or departmental - autonomy, accept or resist innovations in their field, play a leading part in fighting scientific controversies or establishing consensus. Even where research units are not directly controlled by professors, authority structures usually remain strongly hierarchical. These hierarchies too deserve attention in any explora tion of the social characteristics of scientific knowledge and its production. |
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Contents
P WEINGART The Scientific Power Elite a Chimera The | 71 |
the National | 111 |
The Rise of the Molecular | 123 |
Copyright | |
8 other sections not shown
Other editions - View all
Scientific Establishments and Hierarchies N. Elias,H. Martins,Richard P. Whitley Limited preview - 2012 |
Scientific Establishments and Hierarchies N. Elias,H. Martins,Richard P. Whitley No preview available - 1982 |
Scientific Establishments and Hierarchies N. Elias,H. Martins,Richard P. Whitley No preview available - 1982 |
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academic activity approach aspects authority autonomy basic became become biology cancer central century chemistry claim cognitive concepts concerned contributions departments dependence direction disciplines discussion dominant early Edinburgh effect emergence example existing experience experimental fact field function funding goals groups hierarchy highly human important increasing individual industry institutions intellectual Intelligence interests involved issues kind knowledge laboratories leading less London matter means methods molecular nature Note objects observation organization orientation particular philosophers physics political popular position possible practice present Press problems production professional programme question relatively represented reputational role scientific establishments scientists skills social society Sociology specialized specific standards status structure success task technical theoretical theory tion tradition trail United University