History of science and technology statistics

The French-based observatory of science and technology is organising a conference on the history of science and technology statistics in Rome on 12 May 2001.

'Despite the central importance of measurements for research and public policy there is still no sociology of the statistics of science and technology,' say the organisers. This conference aims to bring together researchers from various countries to initiate studies in the history of science measurement.

The conference will address four questions:

- what were the main historical moments that led to the development of statistics on science and technology?

- what were the main socio-political stakes behind the activities of science measurement?

- what were the philosophical and ideological conceptions that drove measurement?

- what indicators were developed and how were they constructed?
Further information is available from:

Benoît Godin
Professeur
INRS
Observatoire des sciences et des technologies
E-mail: benoit_godin@inrs-urb.uquebec.ca
URL: http://www.ost.qc.ca/OSTE/HTML/Nouvelles/ConfRome_2001.htm(opens in new window)