Measurement, Analysis, Design and Evaluation of the Systems and Policies of Research and Innovation

       The objective of the research line is to achieve a better and deeper understanding of the role played by science, technology and innovation in modern economies and societies, by developing our capabilities to map and measure -codified and tacit or embodied- scientific and technological knowledge, as well as to contribute to the construction of a “science of science policy”. We aim to contribute to the better understanding of the interactions between political, economic and social processes and the activities of production, communication, transfer, and use of knowledge, as well as with the organizations specialised in such activities. The project would like to integrate the work of well-established fields and disciplines and to combine different traditions of empirical research that today address the understanding, from separate fields, of science and technology dynamics and their interactions with politics and society and their relevance for economic development and social welfare and equity. The effort made to integrate the existing capabilities of research at CSIC, and the proposal for strategic developments, is represented by the development of the general objectives of the research line, in ways that aim to break the traditional boundaries of the different disciplines working on the field (Bibliometrics, Sociology of science, Public Policy and Management, Economics of innovation, etc.), and tend to construct interdisciplinary approaches. We plan to be organized in various transversal axes that, by definition, will aim to help researchers in this line to converge in joint arenas of future work. 1.- Metrics of science, design of indicators and representations of knowledge. One essential element of the development of the research line corresponds to the measurement of the knowledge activities in all forms, codified or embedded, and at the levels of individuals, groups, organizations, countries or even publications. Efforts will be devoted to advance in the design of new indicators and methods, and to map scientific and technological knowledge: using scientific publications (from different data sources: Thomson-Reuters, Scopus-Elsevier, SCieLO, Google Scholar, Redalyc, etc.), patents (PATSTAT, EPO, OECD-Triadic, USPTO, OEPM, etc.), internet presence (cybermetrics measurements, etc), journals quality, impact and visibility as well as other kind of relevant publications (research monographs, proceedings, e-publications, etc.), personal information (research careers, cooperation, mobility, etc.), funding sources (European framework programme, national and regional public support, etc), corporate information (Bvd Amadeus, Who own whom, etc), and so forth. 2. Actors and Strategies, Institutions and Organizations. Research centres, universities, firms, research groups, and researchers, and even public and political actors, are essential players in the knowledge system. Understanding the internal functioning of these actors, their adaptation strategies to new environments and their interactions in the processes of knowledge production, transfer and use, are key dimensions of the research line, as well as understanding the impact of regulations and legal norms on the incentives that actors have for knowledge production, diffusion and use. Training, recruitment and mobility of researchers are also important elements of the reproduction of institutions and the system. Science and Industry relationships are conditioned by general incentives and strategic choices; also the emergence of knowledge networks has become a structural feature of the new knowledge system. The (self-) organisation of this dimension of science and innovation systems can now be scanned through social network analysis. 3.- Impact and interactions between science and society, between knowledge and the economy. The production, diffusion and use of knowledge -codified or embedded in individuals- take place in society in general and the economy in particular. The production of scientific and technological knowledge has an impact on our societies by contributing to innovation and socio-economic development. The commercialization of knowledge and technological transfer, as well as the incorporation of highly qualified experts in firms are some of the standard modes of enhancing the socio-economic impact of R&D. At the same time, knowledge production and communication processes change as a result of the development of ICT (internet, electronic publications, etc ), the increasingly global dimension of challenges and the internationalization of research and innovation activities in firms, multinational companies and research organizations. 4.- Evaluation of science, institutions and policies. Evaluation processes and practices play an essential role in the functioning of knowledge systems and policies. Evaluation refers to multiple dimensions: scientific activity, scientific journals and other means of disseminating research results, research and innovation policies and programs, institutions, organizations, and individuals. Assessing the socio-economic impact of science and improving the methodologies used in research assessment processes are also central parts of the research objectives of this research line. 5. Science communication, knowledge diffusion and public engagement as well as public understanding of science and the interaction between science, civil society organisations and the public. A better understanding of the way and the consequences of how knowledge is communicated, protected and diffused is another key challenge for understanding the dynamics of science. The interaction between science or knowledge and the public is an essential element of our research program, for understanding how science and knowledge is absorbed by citizens, how their level of interest on science can be improved, and if the commitment to a two-way responsible participation in science between scientific and civil society actors can be developed and implemented. Science as an institution has become a significant element in the democratic rule as scientists’ advice has become integrated in the regular policy process. Besides democratic principles and citizens’ participation are shaping the incentives and requesting changes in the practice of science to reinforce the responsiveness of this elitist institution.