[spectre] TWO JUNIOR RESEARCHERS ( "The social construction of knowledge networks")

[Geert Lovink]

> From: "Peter van den Besselaar" <P.A.A.vandenBesselaar at uva.nl>
>
> The Rathenau Instituut is the Netherlands Institute for Science and 
> Technology Assessment. The research of the institute focuses on two 
> related issues:
> - The consequences of science and technology for society (Technology 
> Assessment).
> - The organization and dynamics of the research system, and the 
> development of science and technology (Science System Assessment).
>
> The Science System Assessment department has vacancies for

> TWO JUNIOR RESEARCHERS
>
> Description of the project: "The social construction of knowledge 
> networks"
>
> Knowledge production takes place within disciplinary structures, which 
> can be characterized as Communities of Practice (CoP's). The 
> boundaries between Communities of Practice are relatively strong, and 
> this hinders the development of interdisciplinary knowledge 
> production. However, it is generally agreed that innovation takes 
> place where various disciplines interact: where knowledge is shared 
> between communities of practice. In other words, from a societal (and 
> a scientific) point of view, interaction between Communities of 
> Practice should be stimulated, not only between knowledge producing 
> CoP's, but also with CoP's that may profit from the application of 
> available knowledge. From a societal point of view, sharing of 
> knowledge and data between CoP's is crucial.
>      ICT applications are developed for supporting the connectivity 
> between knowledge communities. However, the construction of these 
> knowledge and data sharing networks is often seen as a technical 
> issue, and the creation of metadata systems is often seen as the 
> dominant problem. This, by the way, fits in the general perspective of 
> the semantic web as a main tool for organizing and accessing 
> information and knowledge. However, this results in a focus on 
> codified knowledge only, whereas social research about CoP's has shown 
> this is, at best, partially adequate.
>      In this project we will study
> - The dynamics of knowledge sharing within, and between, Communities 
> of Practice
> - The social, legal, institutional, economic issues that play a role 
> in the social construction of knowledge and data networks
> - The epistemological issues of creating knowledge and data networks
> - Existing technical solutions for supporting knowledge networks, and 
> the possibilities and limitations of these proposed solutions: the 
> effects on knowledge production and on the sharing of knowledge.
> The results of the research are translated into guidelines for 
> appropriate socio-technical design of knowledge and data networks, and 
> for the institutional arrangements needed to improve availability and 
> accessibility of knowledge and data.
>
> Requirements
> The successful applicant should possess:
> - a recent Master's degree in information and communication science, 
> science studies, or another relevant social science discipline
> - affinity with information and communication technology
> Or
> - a recent Master's degree in computer science, focusing on issues 
> like metadata systems, ontologies, or user requirements
> - affinity with, and knowledge of, social and organizational aspects 
> of information technologies
> And
> - a good command of English and preferably also Dutch
> - preferably some research experience
>
> This NWO funded project will start as soon as possible and has a 
> duration of 18 months. A follow-up project is a possibility.
>
> Salary indication: a gross salary between  2.250 and  2.500 per month.
> The Rathenau Institute is in Den Haag.
>
> Applications (including a full CV) should be sent to prof. dr Peter 
> van den Besselaar, Rathenau Institute, P.O. Box 95366, 2509 CJ Den 
> Haag (email: p.vandenbesselaar at rathenau.nl) to arrive by 15th March 
> 2006. A project description is available from a.oostveen at rathenau.nl
>
>
> _____________________________
> Prof. dr Peter van den Besselaar
>
> Head of department
> Science System Assessment
> Rathenau Institituut
> P.O. Box 95366
> 2509 CJ Den Haag
> +31(0)70 342 1542
> &
> Amsterdam School of Communications Research ASCoR
> Universiteit van Amsterdam
> http://home.medewerker.uva.nl/p.a.a.vandenbesselaar/
>
>
> prof dr Peter van den Besselaar
>
>