Autonomy and Power in the Neurosciences

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Ethics and Values Studies in Science, Technology and Society supports research that examines the intellectual and value contexts that govern the development and use of science and technology. Through case studies in the neurosciences, set against a background of quantitative information, this project will explore the relationship between autonomy and power in the sciences. The research asks, "How have the neurosciences managed to anchor themselves organizationally in the world of science? How much autonomy have they achieved, and on what basis?" It will explore the utility of the concepts of enrollment, trust, and legitimation in accounting for the rapid institutional expansion of the neurosciences during the period 1965-1985. This development can be seen as a movement, a broad, loose coalition of researchers from a number of areas that has become increasingly anchored in the organizations where science finds its resources -- professional societies, designated funding programs, institutes and departments. The research -- based on comparative case studies of the development of professional societies, government funding programs, and successful and unsuccessful departments -- will both document the evolution of the field and identify political, economic and social factors contributing to that emergence. It will also contribute to our understanding and assessment of theory underlying the political sociology of science. Outcomes will include journal articles, scholarly monographs or chapters, and presentations at professional society meetings and in government agencies that support neuroscience research. Questions of how goals get set and legitimated in the sciences are central to research in science, technology and society studies. A highly qualified young investigator at an appropriate institution proposes to address this question, by studying developments in a fast moving and intrinsically interesting scientific field. The research promises to contribute to our understanding of its development and of scientific progress more broadly. The research methods are appropriate; results are likely to be accessible and significant to a broad audience. Support is highly recommended.