The (In)dependence of Research(ers): Good? Bad? Necessary?

Session Submission Type: Traditional (Closed) Panel

Abstract

The independence of science has been – and still is – a contentious and multifaceted theme in science studies. Originally defended against the idea of central planning (Polanyi 1962) and cast as functionally necessary, its value today appears to be context-dependent. STS scholars have critically analyzed the dependency of research on industry and the resulting secrecy or distortion of findings (Krimsky 2013). At the same time, we have critically analyzed the independence of research from civil society, which we consider undemocratic, irresponsive, and dysfunctional. Research has been able to demonstrate that independence from civil society actors contributes to consequential gaps in scientific knowledge (Frickel et al. 2010). Underlying such concerns are some common questions. What does being independent mean for researchers, research groups, and research organizations? Since science is never completely independent, these actors can be thought of as constantly processing dependencies and actively creating and maintaining their independence. How is this achieved? What are the consequences of independence gained or lost? We invite researchers to submit current empirical and theoretical work concerning the conditions for and consequences of the (in)dependence of research or researchers. We are particularly interested in bringing together perspectives from different disciplines and in promoting a dialogue between philosophy, sociology, the economics of science, and political studies of science.

Sub Unit

• 4S Annual Meeting

Chair

• Ed Hackett, Brandeis University

Individual Presentations

• Bridges and Boundaries: An Exploration of the Roles of REF2014 Impact Assessors - Peter Thayer Robbins, Open University (UK); Gordon Wilson, Open University; Andrew Watkins, Open University; David Wield, Open Univ

• Transformation through Competition: Independent Researchers and Dependence on Research Funding in the Biomedical Sciences - Annalisa Salonius, Independent Scholar, formerly University of Pennsylvania

• How Does the Redistribution of Research Opportunities Affect the Independence of Problem Choices? - Jochen Glaser

• The Metrics of Dependence: Research Entrepreneurs in an Epigenetics Laboratory - Clemence Pinel, King's College London; Barbara Prainsack, King's College London; Christopher McKevitt, King's College London

• What Lay Underneath Innovation in Biotechnology: Risk and the Emergence of Translational Science and Medicine - Mark Robinson, DePaul University