Big Science and Research Infrastructures in Europe

Big Science and Research Infrastructures in Europe
Author: Katharina C. Cramer
Publisher: Edward Elgar Publishing
Total Pages: 281
Release: 2020-08-28
Genre: Science
ISBN: 183910001X

This thought-provoking book expands on the notion that Big Science is not the only term to describe and investigate particularly large research projects, scientific collaborations and facilities. It investigates the significant overlap between Big Science and Research Infrastructures (RIs) in a European context since the early twenty-first century. Contributions to this innovative book not only augment the study of Big Science with new perspectives, but also launch the study of RIs as a promising new line of inquiry.

The Economics of Big Science

The Economics of Big Science
Author: Hans Peter Beck
Publisher: Springer Nature
Total Pages: 137
Release: 2020-10-29
Genre: Science
ISBN: 3030523918

The essays in this open access volume identify the key ingredients for success in capitalizing on public investments in scientific projects and the development of large-scale research infrastructures. Investment in science – whether in education and training or through public funding for developing new research tools and technologies – is a crucial priority. Authors from big research laboratories/organizations, funding agencies and academia discuss how investing in science can produce societal benefits as well as identifying future challenges for scientists and policy makers. The volume cites different ways to assess the socio-economic impact of Research Infrastructures and their role as hubs of global collaboration, creativity and innovation. It highlights the different benefits stemming from fundamental research at the local, national and global level, while also inviting us to rethink the notion of “benefit” in the 21st century. Public investment is required to maintain the pace of technological and scientific advancements over the next decades. Far from advocating a radical transformation and massive expansion in funding, the authors suggest ways for maintaining a strong foundation of science and research to ensure that we continue to benefit from the outputs. The volume draws inspiration from the first “Economics of Big Science” workshop, held in Brussels in 2019 with the aim of creating a new space for dialogue and interaction between representatives of Big Science organizations, policy makers and academia. It aspires to provide useful reading for policy makers, scientists and students of science, who are increasingly called upon to explain the value of fundamental research and adopt the language and logic of economics when engaging in policy discussions.

Management of Research Infrastructures

Management of Research Infrastructures
Author: Rakeshnie Ramoutar-Prieschl
Publisher:
Total Pages: 116
Release: 2020-10-09
Genre: Science
ISBN: 9781013274565

This open access book provides an overview of the building blocks necessary for managing, steering and guiding the establishment of a research infrastructure (RI). It offers valuable insights into RI investment, access and management at the academic, grants management, agency and policy level, and serves as a useful guide for the research community, students, and those in the private sector wishing to understand the approaches and opportunities involved in the establishment, maintenance and management of research infrastructure platforms. Presenting a holistic view of RI investment and granting cycles from a South African perspective, the book's target audience includes those working in science diplomacy, policymaking and science grants councils (especially in Africa) as well as funders and donors. This work was published by Saint Philip Street Press pursuant to a Creative Commons license permitting commercial use. All rights not granted by the work's license are retained by the author or authors.

Towards Interoperable Research Infrastructures for Environmental and Earth Sciences

Towards Interoperable Research Infrastructures for Environmental and Earth Sciences
Author: Zhiming Zhao
Publisher: Springer Nature
Total Pages: 375
Release: 2020-07-24
Genre: Computers
ISBN: 3030528294

This open access book summarises the latest developments on data management in the EU H2020 ENVRIplus project, which brought together more than 20 environmental and Earth science research infrastructures into a single community. It provides readers with a systematic overview of the common challenges faced by research infrastructures and how a ‘reference model guided’ engineering approach can be used to achieve greater interoperability among such infrastructures in the environmental and earth sciences. The 20 contributions in this book are structured in 5 parts on the design, development, deployment, operation and use of research infrastructures. Part one provides an overview of the state of the art of research infrastructure and relevant e-Infrastructure technologies, part two discusses the reference model guided engineering approach, the third part presents the software and tools developed for common data management challenges, the fourth part demonstrates the software via several use cases, and the last part discusses the sustainability and future directions.

A New Vision for Center-Based Engineering Research

A New Vision for Center-Based Engineering Research
Author: National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
Publisher: National Academies Press
Total Pages: 103
Release: 2017-08-18
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 0309459052

The future security, economic growth, and competitiveness of the United States depend on its capacity to innovate. Major sources of innovative capacity are the new knowledge and trained students generated by U.S. research universities. However, many of the complex technical and societal problems the United States faces cannot be addressed by the traditional model of individual university research groups headed by a single principal investigator. Instead, they can only be solved if researchers from multiple institutions and with diverse expertise combine their efforts. The National Science Foundation (NSF), among other federal agencies, began to explore the potential of such center-scale research programs in the 1970s and 1980s; in many ways, the NSF Engineering Research Center (ERC) program is its flagship program in this regard. The ERCs are "interdisciplinary, multi-institutional centers that join academia, industry, and government in partnership to produce transformational engineered systems and engineering graduates who are adept at innovation and primed for leadership in the global economy. To ensure that the ERCs continue to be a source of innovation, economic development, and educational excellence, A New Vision for Center-Based Engineering Research explores the future of center-based engineering research, the skills needed for effective center leadership, and opportunities to enhance engineering education through the centers.

e-Science

e-Science
Author: Claudia Koschtial
Publisher: Springer Nature
Total Pages: 192
Release: 2021-03-19
Genre: Social Science
ISBN: 3030662624

This open access book shows the breadth and various facets of e-Science, while also illustrating their shared core. Changes in scientific work are driven by the shift to grid-based worlds, the use of information and communication systems, and the existential infrastructure, which includes global collaboration. In this context, the book addresses emerging issues such as open access, collaboration and virtual communities and highlights the diverse range of developments associated with e-Science. As such, it will be of interest to researchers and scholars in the fields of information technology and knowledge management.

Enhancing the Value and Sustainability of Field Stations and Marine Laboratories in the 21st Century

Enhancing the Value and Sustainability of Field Stations and Marine Laboratories in the 21st Century
Author: National Research Council
Publisher: National Academies Press
Total Pages: 167
Release: 2014-09-11
Genre: Science
ISBN: 0309305373

For over a century, field stations have been important entryways for scientists to study and make important discoveries about the natural world. They are centers of research, conservation, education, and public outreach, often embedded in natural environments that range from remote to densely populated urban locations. Because they lack traditional university departmental boundaries, researchers at field stations have the opportunity to converge their science disciplines in ways that can change careers and entire fields of inquiry. Field stations provide physical space for immersive research, hands-on learning, and new collaborations that are otherwise hard to achieve in the everyday bustle of research and teaching lives on campus. But the separation from university campuses that allows creativity to flourish also creates challenges. Sometimes, field stations are viewed as remote outposts and are overlooked because they tend to be away from population centers and their home institutions. This view is exacerbated by the lack of empirical evidence that can be used to demonstrate their value to science and society. Enhancing the Value and Sustainability of Field Stations and Marine Laboratories in the 21st Century summarizes field stations' value to science, education, and outreach and evaluates their contributions to research, innovation, and education. This report suggests strategies to meet future research, education, outreach, infrastructure, funding, and logistical needs of field stations. Today's technologies - such as streaming data, remote sensing, robot-driven monitoring, automated DNA sequencing, and nanoparticle environmental sensors - provide means for field stations to retain their special connection to nature and still interact with the rest of the world in ways that can fuel breakthroughs in the environmental, physical, natural, and social sciences. The intellectual and natural capital of today's field stations present a solid platform, but many need enhancements of infrastructure and dynamic leadership if they are to meet the challenges of the complex problems facing the world. This report focuses on the capability of field stations to address societal needs today and in the future.

Strategic Management of Research Organizations

Strategic Management of Research Organizations
Author: William Barletta
Publisher: CRC Press
Total Pages: 134
Release: 2019-08-28
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 1000627381

This entry-level text describes a tested top-down enterprise-wide approach to managing organizations with a predominant portion of their product being scientific or technological research. It focuses on executive performance and strategic forecasting and planning; goal-setting; communications and marketing, and operations management to realize strategic objectives. This book will be of interest to entrepreneurs, established scientists and engineers and to those studying toward an MBA with specialization in research institutions and major research infrastructures, preparing them to move from research or academia into their first managerial position. It also provides valuable advice and guidance for established middle and senior management in established research enterprises. Features: Provides an accessible and easy to follow introduction to strategic management methodologies Explores best practices for communication, marketing, and risk management Discusses workforce management as related to realizing strategic goals and plans

Planning the Future Space Weather Operations and Research Infrastructure: Proceedings of the Phase II Workshop

Planning the Future Space Weather Operations and Research Infrastructure: Proceedings of the Phase II Workshop
Author: National Academies Of Sciences Engineeri
Publisher: National Academies Press
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2023-06-14
Genre: Science
ISBN: 9780309693660

Affecting technological systems at a global-scale, space weather can disrupt high-frequency radio signals, satellite-based communications, navigational satellite positioning and timing signals, spacecraft operations, and electric power delivery with cascading socioeconomic effects resulting from these disruptions. Space weather can also present an increased health risk for astronauts, as well as aviation flight crews and passengers on transpolar flights. In 2019, the National Academies was approached by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the National Science Foundation to organize a workshop that would examine the operational and research infrastructure that supports the space weather enterprise, including an analysis of existing and potential future measurement gaps and opportunities for future enhancements. This request was subsequently modified to include two workshops, the first (Phase I) of which occurred in two parts on June 16-17 and September 9-11, 2020. The Phase II workshop occurred on April 11-14, 2022, with sessions on agency updates, research needs, data science, observational and modeling needs, and emerging architectures relevant to the space weather research community and with ties to operational needs. This publication summarizes the presentation and discussion of that workshop.