Standard Research Grant:Interdisciplinary and Scientist/Public Collaboration at Two Nanoscale Science and Engineering Centers

University Of Southern Indiana, Evansville IN

Investigators

Abstract

Collaboration between natural and social scientists and scientists and non-scientists has been increasing in what has been referred to as Mode 2 science. Large research problems are increasingly perceived to require expertise from both natural and social scientists and the participation of public sectors and collaboration is often encouraged or required by funding agencies. Despite increased interdisciplinary and science/non-science collaboration, there is still limited research into why it succeeds or fails and its unique problems, impacts, and interactive forms. Even more limited is research on collaboration teams designed by social scientists. This project takes advantage of two currently funded NSF centers on societal dimensions of nanotechnology as research sites to improve our understanding of interdisciplinary and science/non-science collaboration. The project involves a detailed study of collaboration at the Nanoscale Science and Engineering Centers (NSECs) at Arizona State University and University of California, Santa Barbara. Each center emphasizes collaborative ties between social scientists and natural scientists and engineers and between scientists and stakeholders, the broader public, and policy makers in its mission and design. A post-doctoral fellow, with active guidance of the PI, conducts 3-4 months of on-site observations of collaboration, conducts personal interviews with collaborating participants, and collects other relevant data. Several research questions guide the project, but questions 2, 5, and 7 are prioritized. 1) What are the different forms and goals of interdisciplinary and interorganizational collaboration? 2) What are the effects of collaboration on productivity and how does collaboration itself affect participants? perceptions of productivity? 3) How do patterns of collaboration vary across academic hierarchies at the centers? 4) What organizational features of the center and university facilitate interdisciplinary and interorganizational collaboration? 5) What communicative barriers and strategies are prevalent in interdisciplinary collaborative relationships and how are they managed? 6) What unique challenges and successes are found in interorganizational collaborations at the centers? 7) How are public engagement activities designed to enhance the potential for scientist/public collaboration? Intellectual Merit: Through two detailed case studies, the project generates knowledge about collaboration between social scientists and natural scientists and engineers and between scientists and non-scientists. The project contributes empirical data to Science, Technology & Society research on interdisciplinary and interorganizational collaboration that has focused on such issues as impacts on productivity, communicative gaps and strategies, tensions and risks, and organizational and network contexts. This study is unique in that it focuses on centers organized by social scientists. The project contributes empirical data to theoretical work on interdisciplinary trading zones and the notion of interactional and contributory expertise. It also contributes to theoretical work that critically assesses the science policy move towards increased public engagement. Broader Impacts: Although not designed as an evaluative project, results nonetheless provide information on collaboration to center leaders of these two NSECs. Beyond this localized impact, a policy paper on collaboration oriented to social science organized interdisciplinary centers is developed and made accessible to NSF and other funding agencies engaged in support of interdisciplinary collaboration. From a personal professional standpoint, this project also is an excellent opportunity for a post-doc to engage in cutting edge STS research, while expanding a professional network through connections to center personnel.