[en] Global Mega-Science explains the unprecedented worldwide expansion of higher education and of research collaborations that have transformed the production of science. Growing global science capacity relies on the rise of the research university and unprecedented investments in research, which reflects the influential global ”university-science model”. Most nations have established research universities to educate academics and professionals—all contribute to scientific discovery. Science increasingly relies on global collaborative efforts, esp. the STEM+ disciplines and “mega-science” projects, such as the Covid-19 vaccines, but all fields rely more than ever on collaboration in diverse networks. Unique in its historical scope (1900-2020) and in theorizing the rise of “mega-science” via the worldwide diffusion of the “university-science model”, the book covers numerous cases of leading science countries, not only the US but also Germany, China and other Asian countries, and small states with the newest research universities (Luxembourg, Qatar)—embedded in worldwide trends and patterns. 2023 marks 60 years since the publication of the founder of bibliometrics, Derek de Solla Price, published his seminal contribution "Little Science, Big Science and Beyond" (1963). We explicitly disprove his hypothesis that science growth would slow down; instead, we find pure exponential growth in publications and collaborations.
Department of Social Sciences
Researchers ; Professionals ; Students ; General public
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