Massimiano Bucchi (University of Trento)

“Norms, competition and visibility in contemporary science: the legacy of Robert K Merton”

Abstract

Can Robert K. Merton’s seminal work in the sociology of science still offer useful insights tounderstand key features, trends and challenges of science in contemporary societies? This articlefocuses on two main topics. It addresses the general theme of values and norms in science in thelight of relevant organizational changes that have marked science in recent decades, as well asthe resilience of the concept of ‘scientific community’ to those changes. Starting from Merton’sclassical study of the ‘Matthew effect’, the article then analyses the theme of competition inscience, with particular regard to the dynamics that characterize the reputation and visibility ofscientists.