Abstract

CASTRO-MARTINEZ, Elena  and  OLMOS-PENUELA, Julia. Characteristics of the interactions between society and researchers in humanities and social sciences. A study based on empirical studies. Rev. iberoam. cienc. tecnol. soc. [online]. 2014, vol.9, n.27, pp.113-141. ISSN 1850-0013.

Although most studies on the relationship between researchers and society are general or mainly oriented to examine the case of science and engineering, their conclusions are usually applied to all the areas of knowledge of scientific and higher education institutions. Through two empirical studies developed in the Spanish Council for Scientific Research, the authors of this paper have analyzed in depth the various dimensions of the processes of knowledge exchange and transfer between researchers in humanities and social sciences and society. They have also compared these interactions to those that take place in the areas of science, technology and engineering. The results illustrate the social involvement of researchers in humanities and social sciences, as well as the specific difficulties and challenges they face. Considerable differences have been found between the two areas of knowledge, particularly in regard to their ways of working, the mechanisms of their interactions and the social partners with whom they interact. However, the authors of this paper have also found some similarities, particularly in relation to the influence of institutional policies and management processes. These findings can contribute to a better adaptation of the scientific and institutional policies to the specific area of humanities and social sciences.

Keywords : Knowledge transfer; Science dissemination; Humanities; Social sciences.