Research careers and research assessment reform: a 'public values' perspective

This paper contributes to studies of research careers as a mediating structure that links knowledge production activities and societal institutions and expectations. It develops a ‘public values’ conceptual framework for understanding research careers, building on existing approaches from the sociology of science. It discusses this framework in the context of recent approaches to the reform of research assessment. It argues that a public values approach to research careers is sensitive to the heterogeneity of research careers – in terms of scientific disciplines and career stage – while providing a coherent framework for thinking about these careers in the context of evolving societal expectations about the contributions of publicly funded science.