Peer Review in Academia

In this chapter, we outline the notion of peer review and its relation to the autonomy of the academic profession and the contract between science and society. This is followed by an introduction of some key themes regarding the practices of peer review. Next, we specify some reasons to further explore different practices of peer review. Briefly, the state of the art is presented. Finally, the structure of this volume and its individual contributions are presented.

When Science Is Made an “Accomplice”

The article attempts to comprehend the relationship between science and politics and the use of scientific knowledge by various actors to promote their own political, ideological and other agendas. The author considers a few concepts that have resulted from the complication of various spheres of life and, accordingly, from the need for a new description and organization of science. These issues are also associated with new formats of relationships between science and society encouraged by the changing scientific, social and other contexts. The author notes that as a result, the scientific activity becomes more sensitive to social needs, yet also more susceptible to various social, political and other influences. This situation is illustrated with the ways in which social activists employ scientific knowledge and public science communication to advance their ideological positions, influence political and/or economic decisions and motivate civic action. The author points out the multiplicity of actors engaged in the assessment of scientific discoveries and the formation of the scientific and political agenda. The article assesses the importance of taking into account the political context of the relationship between science and society in the models of science communication. In conclusion, the author questions the possibility of conceptualizing the collective political agency of science without a thorough discussion of how it engages the role of non-scientific actors.

New Directions in Quantum Computing for a Tectonic Shift of Technological Change

Quantum computer and computing are areas of theoretical and experimental research having a phase of growth that can generate a tectonic shift of the evolution of technology in society. The scientific and technological development in quantum research is due to a range of driving technological trajectories that are growing to solve more and more complex problems. The goal of this study is to detect emerging research fields and technological trajectories of quantum computing to explain and generalize, whenever possible, the technological characteristics of evolutionary dynamics in science and technology. Database of Scopus concerning documents and patents is used for statistical analyses to determine the growth of research fields and technological trajectories having a high potential impact in science and society. Results suggest that quantum research is driven by emerging scientific and technological trajectories given by Qubits, Quantum optics, Quantum circuit, Semiconductor quantum dots and quantum information. Overall, this study explains, whenever possible, emerging research fields and technological technologies in quantum computing that support scientific and technological change directed to future economic and social progress. Finally, technology analysis of this study can help policymakers to support the allocation of resources for all areas of Quantum Science having a high potential of growth and positive impact in science and society.

Indiscipline as Method: From Telescopes to Ventilators in Times of Covid

There is no unproblematic way to study things as “African”, yet an epistemologically situated approach based on concrete technological projects situated in Africa and their social and political implications offers an important account of the intersection of the Fourth Industrial Revolution and African Studies. We explore this perspective through the notion of “indiscipline” using the Square Kilometre Array radio telescope project (SKA) based in South Africa as a case study through which to observe “indiscipline” as a methodological approach to technoscience at work. Indiscipline helps frame the socio-technical (by)products of astrophysics and engineering, and we present the production of ventilators for COVID-19 patients as an example of how the design of mega-science projects can become entangled with the dynamic concerns of society. Our conclusion elaborates on the politics of large technological systems, opening up a conversation on the intersection of science and society in the context of the Fourth Industrial Revolution in African settings, using the template of experiences with the SKA and the National Ventilator Project in South Africa.

Interdisciplinary and transferable concepts in bioinformatics education: observations and approaches from a UK MSc course

Bioinformatics is a highly interdisciplinary subject, with substantial and growing influence in health, environmental science and society, and is utilised by scientists from many diverse academic backgrounds. Education in bioinformatics therefore necessitates effective development of skills in interdisciplinary collaboration, communication, ethics, and critical analysis of research, in addition to practical and technical skills. Insights from bioinformatics training can additionally inform developing education in the tightly aligned and emerging disciplines of data science and artificial intelligence. Here we describe the design, implementation, and review of a module in a UK MSc-level bioinformatics programme attempting to address these goals for diverse student cohorts. Reflecting the philosophyof the field and programme, the module content was designed either as ‘diversity-addressing’ – working towards a common foundation of knowledge – or ‘diversity-exploiting’ – where different student viewpoints and skills were harnessed to facilitate student research projects ‘greater than the sum of their parts’. For a universal introduction to technical concepts, we combined a mixed lecture / immediate computational practical approach, facilitated by virtual machines, creating an efficient technical learning environment praised in student feedback for building confidence among cohorts with diverse backgrounds. Interdisciplinary group research projects where diverse students worked on real research questions were supervised in tandem with interactive contact time covering transferable skills in collaboration and communication in diverse teams, research presentation, and ethics. Multifaceted feedback and assessment provided a constructive alignment with real peer-reviewed bioinformatics research. We believe that the inclusion of these transferable, interdisciplinary, and critical concepts in a bioinformatics course can help produce rounded, experienced graduates, ready for the real world and with many future options in science and society. In addition, we hope to provide some ideas and resources to facilitate such inclusion.

Vorlesung und Hörsaal als Symptomwörter für Geschichte und Gegenwart der deutschen Sprache

The article starts with the etymology of the words Vorlesung („lecture“) and Hörsaal (“lecture hall”). On the one hand, it turns out that the two expressions are deeply anchored in the history of the old Latin scientific language. They transmit Latin structures and perspectives in German neologisms. On the other hand, the two words arose exactly at the time when the sciences were moving from Latin to German, thus distancing themselves from the traditional forms of Latin scholarship. In this light, they exemplify an epochal change in the history of the German language, but at the same time they represent a great European continuity. Against this background, the two words can be interpreted as symptomatic words associated with the Enlightenment’s confident outlook on the future relationship between science and society. Further corpus linguistic surveys also show how productively the two words appear in word formation processes. In particular, these surveys show by way of example that and how German standard language has benefited from the emergence of German academic language.

Epistemology of nonclassical mythology: preliminary results

This article is dedicated to the problem of establishment of nonclassical mythology in the conditions of the modern epistemological crisis of myth, which is associated with stagnation in ideas and research against the background of the variety of works dedicate to folklore, anthropology, and philology. The goal of this article lies in the analysis of the factors and theoretical foundations of the formation of nonclassical mythology, as well as its practical importance for science and society. Research methodology leans on the principles and approaches of no-classical rationality that reveal the possibilities and limits of the scientific study of myth, as well as allow determining its role and meaning for science and society within the common cultural space. The scientific novelty lies in substantiation of the existence of nonclassical mythology as developed and described by the researchers. Analysis of the most interesting ideas of myth researchers indicates that nonclassical mythology was formed in the XX century, and is currently at the stage of formation of the general theory of myth. However, its further development is related to need for overcoming inertia in such spheres that view mythology in its particular manifestations, neglecting the ontology. Research of the ontology of myth will be determinative for mythology as a science, as well as allow formulating the fundamentals and problematic of the general theory of myth.

Perceptions of the European Space Sector: Youth Engagement With Space Education Events

Space education not only plays a key role in helping young people understand the natural world and their impact on the planet but is also vital in ensuring that future generations can make meaningful contributions to the space sector at all levels. Positive perceptions of the space sector can lead young people to take roles where they can contribute to new knowledge, develop new technologies, and tackle societal challenges. As the relationship between science and society is tested by global events—such as climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic—scientific trust and accountability have become topics of frequent and public debate. The way in which young people engage with space education and perceive their potential involvement with the space sector is of greater importance now than ever before. This paper describes a two-year European space education project that was carried out before and during the COVID-19 global pandemic. An evaluation of the project activities showed that young people are generally enthusiastic about space, but their perceptions of the European space sector—and their connections to it—are less positive. Recommendations are made on the challenges facing the space sector and how it needs to adapt to better support the development of a more inclusive space education community.