POCARIM policy brief 3 : The role of networking in the social sciences and humanities

Ackers, HL

Abstract

Policy Brief 3 focuses on the subject of networking. Networks are critical to many aspects of the POCARIM project. On the one hand they play an important role in career development both in terms of disseminating information about positions and research opportunities. In many cases they lubricate access to those positions. In a more general sense they shape flows of knowledge and ideas, building bridges between disciplines, sectors and international actors. The role of networking in the promotion of knowledge exchange and the realisation of the ‘Fifth Freedom’ (Free Movement of knowledge) is clearly spelt out in the Commission Communication on the ‘Innovation Union’:
Increased mobility is strongly associated with the creation of knowledge networks, improved scientific performance, improved knowledge and technology transfer, improved productivity and ultimately enhanced economic and social welfare (European Commission, 2010, p. 21).
Given the significance of networks to critical processes that lie at the heart of POCARIM objectives, we have been interested to understand the dynamics of network formation, the characteristics and qualities of networks in the social sciences and humanities and factors shaping their growth, evolution, sustenance and demise. With these concerns in mind this sections addresses five questions:
(1) How and when are networks formed?
(2) What are networks like?
(3) How are networks maintained and encouraged to evolve?
(4) What obstacles exist to network formation and evolution and how can they be overcome?
(5) What do networks achieve for the researchers involved and for research itself?

Citation

Ackers, H. (in press). POCARIM policy brief 3 : The role of networking in the social sciences and humanities

• Report Type: Project Report
• Acceptance Date: Mar 19, 2023
• Deposit Date: Jul 3, 2015
• Publicly Available Date: Jul 3, 2015
• Keywords: Social science, humanities, networks, research careers
• Related Public URLs: http://www.salford.ac.uk/nmsw/research/research-projects/pocarim-home
• Additional Information: Funders : European Commission; Projects : Mapping the Population, Careers, Mobilities and Impacts of Advanced Research Degree Graduates in the Social Sciences and Humanities (POCARIM)