Cultures of Science in Developing Countries: A Vision from China’s Practice

• In Event: STI and SDGs in Developing Countries

Abstract

Cultures of Science in developing countries: a vision from China’s practice
In the past several years, with the innovation-driven development strategy implemented in China, it has been much accomplished in the field of science and technology. As we understand, scientific accomplishment is the co-production of scientist community, policy maker, industry and the public. The behavior of scientist, public and policy maker, together with the infrastructure of science and technology industry construct the material dimension of our understanding of scientific culture.
With the development of science in China, more and more attention has been drawn to the culture of science as well.
When we talk about cultures of science, we talk about value system, code of conduct and social norms in the society. It includes spirits, ethics, methodologies, norms, mindset and understanding of science. Intertwined together, science and cultures are shaping our contemporary life. So far, the mainstream of cultures of science has been established among English-speaking countries in Europe and North America, which all share the same history and the same culture of science development. The voices from scholars in China and also in most developing countries are much less heard. These scholars practice their research with their own understanding and with their own methodologies.
The journal Cultures of Science was newly launched in 2018. It provides a platform for the scholars in China and other developing countries. It is the journal’s goal to improve the capacity for engaging in international communication so as to tell China’s stories well, and also to present true, multi-dimensional view of science practices in developing countries. In this article, we introduce the position and aims of Cultures of Science, and also the design of the first two volumes in 2018 and 2019 and the feedback afterwards.

Authors

• Ji Zhao, National Academy of Innovation Strategy

• Xuan LIU, National Academy of Innovation Strategy, China

• Fujun Ren, NAIS, CAST