300455 Institutional Structure and Governance Mechanisms of Science (MA: Politische Soziologie) (S) (SoSe 2026)

Scientific research is conducted in various institutional settings,
including universities, non-academic research institutes, as well as
companies and firms. Within different national systems of innovation,
these institutions serve different purposes and have distinct missions.
Like other social systems, science is largely self-governed and follows
its own logic. However, there are several non-scientific actors that
attempt to influence research through various mechanisms.

The aim of the seminar is to develop an overview of the landscape in
which science is institutionalized and the governance mechanisms that
aim to influence the priorities of science and the directions of
knowledge production. Although the primary focus is on Germany, various
comparisons are made to explore similarities and differences with other
countries. With its focus, the seminar is intended to complement the
'Introduction to Social Studies of Science', which provides an overview
of different theories in the social studies of science. However, it is
open to all students with an interest in the study of institutions and
governance mechanisms.