Collaboration in the New Life Sciences

'A fascinating selection of in-depth studies: varied forms of collaboration make for new big science, and the new life sciences call for new forms of collaboration. This volume combines scholarly originality and insight with relevance for policy makers and the public.' Wiebe E. Bijker, Maastricht University, The Netherlands 'Collaboration in the New Life Sciences could hardly be timelier. Just at the time that researchers have begun to create new collaborative media and dynamics comes this excellent volume, lifting the curtain, and showing us a good measure of the wizardry. The chapters are diverse, are well and richly grounded in emergent theory from Science and Technology Studies and, at the same time, show intimate familiarity with the scientific content that is their focus. Readable and accessible, this book will inform both the social theorist seeking meaning from new collaborative forms, as well as life scientists wishing to reflect more deeply on work routines and their social meaning.' Barry Bozeman, University of Georgia, USA 'The publication of this book, is certainly timely, and the case-studies which it provides on collaborative practices from Asia, Europe and the USA, give insights into scientific practices in these countries. In many ways, the style of writing throughout this book seems to convey that the authors reflected deeply on the socially constructed elements of ’received wisdom’ which prevail in science and policy-making. The book would have some appeal, not only to ecologists and social scientists who are interested in knowledge production. Some practical advice is given on how collaboration works in practice, which could have relevance to scientists in other disciplines and for policy-making. ... Overall, this book makes an important contribution to the literature, laying emphasis on cultural features of collaboration. However, perhaps its greatest achievement is the amount of ideas and questions that the various chapters raise