Speakers

Invited Speakers:

• Prof. Maximilian Fochler (University of Vienna)

Title of the presentation: Between purpose and constraint. How individual researchers and research communities orient their knowledge production

Abstract: In this talk, I will discuss how researchers and communities make decisions in how they produce knowledge. Drawing on fieldwork and examples from the life sciences, in particular the crop and soil sciences, I will address the tensions that arise between the values and purposes driving researchers on the one hand and the many institutional boundary conditions constraining them on the other hand. In doing so, my thesis is that rather than fostering freedom to orient research work along specific purposes (such as producing knowledge of environmental relevance), many institutional structures of current science push researchers into situations that are experienced as alienating rather than purposeful. Hyper-competition for academic positions, narrowly focused researcher evaluations, the constant pressure to be innovative or hype and bandwagon dynamics are some examples I will touch upon. As a positive outlook, I will present examples of how collective orientation work can help to counterbalance some of these dynamics.

• TBC
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Contributed Talks:

• Prof. Leon Loveridge (University of South-Eastern Norway)

Title of the presentation: TBC

Abstract:TBC