In search of relevance: the changing contract between science and society

Laurens K. Hessels*, Harro van Lente, Ruud Smits

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

This paper reflects on the relevance of academic science. Relevance plays a central role in what we define as the 'contract' between (academic) science and society. The manifestations of relevance in the daily practice of academic research can be studied using the credibility cycle. Together, the science- society contract and the credibility cycle enable a systematic analysis of relevance in scientific disciplines. This is illustrated with a case study of academic chemistry in The Netherlands. We conclude that science's search for relevance is not new, but that its meaning changes together with changing ideas about the potential benefits of scientific research.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)387-401
Number of pages15
JournalScience and Public Policy
Volume36
Issue number5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jun 2009
Externally publishedYes

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