Equipment is critical to the progress of research; therefore its provision is a significant science policy issue. There may be under-investment in equipment relative to other factors of scientific production such as staff. At a European level, inadequate infrastructure is a potential barrier to...

This paper examines professional work and professional careers and the extent to which professionals face change, uncertainty and risk in their careers. The key issue is whether the power and privilege of the professions is being undermined. It draws on research from Manchester's business and...

The problems involved in evaluating interdisciplinary social science initiatives are described, based on experience appraising large ESRC-funded projects undertaken in the UK. The methods used include interview and questionnaire approaches addressed to investigators, the research community, and...

This paper provides an overview of some of the findings of a recently completed study of school choice in 33 local schools which may be indicative of the effect of an increase in the marketisation of schools. Since it is unlikely that debate over parental choice can be settled by theoretical...

While much is known about the mobility patterns of the middle classes in London and the South East, far less is certain about middle-class migration patterns in other regions of the country. Nor has the importance of other regional centres in providing opportunities in the professions and...

The approach adopted in the design of a system of continuous evaluation and monitoring for COST, the European mechanism for the stimulation of co-operation in scientific and technical research, is described. The emphasis is on the derivation of a framework which asks questions about the...

Increasing the level of integration is currently an important policy objective for European research. This brings to light issues regarding the meaning and nature of integration and integration in research; issues associated with the mechanisms to enable and facilitate higher levels of...

Change in policy and organisation is often presented as solely the outcome of a combination of social and political processes. Furthermore, these processes are, somewhat misguidedly it is argued here, presented as explanations or ‘reasons’ rather than historically specific social mechanism...