Innovations in the Lab: Leveraging Transformations in Science

Project description

A series of transitions and shocks – from the growth of artificial intelligence (AI) and the automation of research to persistent post-pandemic impacts, funding uncertainties in the face of rising costs, and increased global tensions – present wide-reaching implications for science.

These trends and events are themselves occurring in the context of heightened concerns about equity, diversity, and inclusiveness and how science can be relevant and trusted in addressing global sustainability and societal challenges.

Together, these developments both promise and require transformations in the fundamental practices of scientific work and notions of scientific expertise and responsibility in research.

The project probes these changes and the innovations they trigger in research labs and teams.

The projects’ overarching research questions are:

(a) How are research practices and priorities, including topic and method choices, team roles, publication outputs, and collaborations, being affected by transformations in science?

(b) What is the role of innovations in research approaches and practices in addressing challenges presented by scientific transformations?

(c) What are the implications for research management and science policy to address potentially negative effects and facilitate positive learning from innovative practices?

The project runs for 3 years from September 2023. It will conduct case studies in Germany, France and the UK, with support from international partners, incl. Barbara Ribeiro.

Project Team