Scientific Career Transitions: from Public to Private Sector Science, 2004-2007

UKDA study number:5722

Principal Investigator

Duberley, J.
University of Birmingham. Birmingham Business School

Sponsor

Economic and Social Research Council

Distributed by

UK Data Archive, University of Essex, Colchester.

January 2009

Bibliographic Citation

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Duberley, J., Scientific Career Transitions: from Public to Private Sector Science, 2004-2007 [computer file]. Colchester, Essex: UK Data Archive [distributor], January 2009. SN: 5722.

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Copyright:
J. Duberley

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5722 . Scientific Career Transitions: from Public to Private Sector Science, 2004-2007

Depositor:

Duberley, J. , University of Birmingham. Birmingham Business School

Principal Investigator:

Duberley, J. , University of Birmingham. Birmingham Business School

Sponsor:

Economic and Social Research Council
Grant Number: RES-000-22-0571

Abstract:

A great deal of debate has taken place in recent years about the changing nature of knowledge production and the increased commercialisation of science. This study focused on research scientists who had moved between public and private sector contexts. In particular, the following groups were examined: university scientists who were engaged in setting up spin out companies; scientists who had moved from the public sector to young, entrepreneurial companies; and those who had moved to large established companies.

The objectives of the project were:

• to contribute to the debate on changing modes of knowledge production by examining scientists' accounts of doing research in public and private sector contexts
• to develop a model for understanding how scientists experience and manage the interplay between the scientific, commercial and ethical imperatives that they face, including consideration of the role of external stakeholders such as customers, other research establishments, regulatory and legislative bodies, and the general public
• to construct a theoretical framework for understanding scientists’ career transitions between the public and private sectors
• to contribute to the training and career development of scientists through an exploration of the constraints and challenges of moving across sectors

The study explored the ways in which scientists with an applied orientiation towards science rationalised their move into the private sector, as a method of taking their science to its natural endpoint. The project demonstrated how scientists negotiated between the various scientific, legal and commercial imperatives impacting upon them, and that these imperatives were not always viewed in opposition to each other. The project developed a model of career transition which takes account of structure and agency in the development of scientific careers.

Main Topics:

Main topics include:

• scientific careers
• organisation of science
• career theory
• career transition

Coverage:

Time Period Covered: March 2004 - July 2007
Dates of Fieldwork: March 2004 - January 2007
Country: England
Spatial Units: Government Office Regions (GORs)
Observation Units: Individuals
Kind of Data: Textual data; Individual (micro) level; Semi-structured interview transcripts

Universe Sampled:

Location of Units of Observation: National
Population: Scientists changing career from public to private sector

Methodology:

Time Dimensions: Cross-sectional (one-time) study
Sampling Procedures: Convenience sample
Method of Data Collection: Face-to-face interview
Weighting: Not applicable

Language(s) of Written Materials:

Study Description: English
Study Documentation: English

Access:

Access Conditions: The depositor has specified that registration is required and standard conditions of use apply. The depositor may be informed about usage. See terms and conditions for further information.
Availability: ESDS Qualidata, UK Data Archive
Contact: Help desk: qualidata@esds.ac.uk

Date of First Release:

13 January 2009

Copyright:

J. Duberley

File last updated:

13 January 2009