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Semantically Mapping Science (SMS) Platform

Semantically Mapping Science (SMS) Platform

Up to now, STI (Science, Technology, Innovation) studies are either rich but small scale (qualitative case studies) or large scale and under-complex. However, progress in the STI research field depends in our view on the ability to do large-scale studies with often many variables specified by relevant theories: There is a need for studies which are at the same time big and rich. To enable that, combining and integration of STI data and beyond is needed – in order to exploit the huge amount of data that are ‘out there’ in an innovative and meaningful way.
The aim of the Semantically Mapping Science (SMS) platform as the technical core within the RISIS EU project is to produce richer data to be used in social research – through the integration of heterogeneous datasets, ranging from tabular statistical data to unstructured data found on the Web.

The Evaluation of Scholarship in Academic Promotion and Tenure Processes: Past, Present, and Future - F1000Research

The Evaluation of Scholarship in Academic Promotion and Tenure Processes: Past, Present, and Future - F1000Research

Review, promotion, and tenure (RPT) processes significantly affect how faculty direct their own career and scholarly progression. Although RPT practices vary between and within institutions, and affect various disciplines, ranks, institution types, genders, and ethnicity in different ways, some consistent themes emerge when investigating what faculty would like to change about RPT. For instance, over the last few decades, RPT processes have generally increased the value placed on research, at the expense of teaching and service, which often results in an incongruity between how faculty actually spend their time vs. what is considered in their evaluation. Another issue relates to publication practices: most agree RPT requirements should encourage peer-reviewed works of high quality, but in practice, the value of publications is often assessed using shortcuts such as the prestige of the publication venue, rather than on the quality and rigor of peer review of each individual item.

New Report Shows Colleges How to Bridge the Gap Between the Liberal Arts and the Work Force

New Report Shows Colleges How to Bridge the Gap Between the Liberal Arts and the Work Force

New study says the evolving economy creates a greater need for their skills, but that many colleges could do better at thinking about what graduates can do and helping them translate that into jobs.

Science Should Not Pay for Overpaid CEOs of Academic Publishers

Science Should Not Pay for Overpaid CEOs of Academic Publishers

Gerard Meijer closed the first open access (offsetting) deals with the major scientific publishers. As his fellow scientists now oppose the new 'Plan S' he looks on with surprise and disappointments.

The Main Obstacles to Better Research Data Management and Sharing Are Cultural. But Change is in Our Hands

The Main Obstacles to Better Research Data Management and Sharing Are Cultural. But Change is in Our Hands

Appointing data stewards and data champions can be key to improving research data management through positive cultural change.

How Science Fared in the Midterm Elections

How Science Fared in the Midterm Elections

This year, more candidates with degrees in science, medicine and engineering ran for Congress than ever before. Of the nearly two-dozen new candidates in this crop, at least seven won seats in the House of Representatives.

Would Preregistration Speed or Slow Progress in Science? A Debate with Richard Shiffrin.

Would Preregistration Speed or Slow Progress in Science? A Debate with Richard Shiffrin.

A blog about the science of human behavior and the human behavior of scientists.

Researchers Report Elsevier to EU Anti-Competition Authority

Researchers Report Elsevier to EU Anti-Competition Authority

Academic publisher Elsevier has repeatedly made the news for its battle with Sci-Hub, the "Pirate Bay" of science. However, while Elsevier is using copyrights to protect its business, academic-insiders accuse the publisher of "anti-competitive" actions.

Why a European Agency Post Can Be an Excellent Destination for Researchers

Why a European Agency Post Can Be an Excellent Destination for Researchers

Competitive agency positions offer balanced and rewarding science careers.

Women Innovators Prize 2019 Opens for Applications

Women Innovators Prize 2019 Opens for Applications

The European Commission launched today the sixth edition of the EU Prize for Women Innovators. The Prize sheds light on the outstanding work of female entrepreneurs who have brought their ideas to market, and aims to inspire the next generation of innovators.

EUA Asks European Commission to Investigate Lack of Competition

EUA Asks European Commission to Investigate Lack of Competition

The EUA Council adopted a statement expressing its concern about the lack of transparency and competition in the scholarly publishing business sector in Europe. 

Anger As Influential Economist Has UK Residency Bid Rejected

Anger As Influential Economist Has UK Residency Bid Rejected

Professor Mariana Mazzucato, who has lived in UK for 20 years, says application refused and Italian passport kept by UK's Immigration Home Office.

Video Games Could Be a Short-term Answer to Science's Gender Problem

Video Games Could Be a Short-term Answer to Science's Gender Problem

New research shows girls are more likely to take physical science or technology degrees if they play video games.

Scientists Struggle with Confusing Journal Guidelines

Scientists Struggle with Confusing Journal Guidelines

Unclear and incomplete journal guidelines are placing an additional burden on many scientists who don't speak English as a first language.

Digital Future: We Are Already There, but Keep Living in the Past

Digital Future: We Are Already There, but Keep Living in the Past

Presentation slides for Postgraduate Forum of the German Association for American Studies 2018. Alternative title: Selfish reasons for adopting open research practices in SSH research.

ACS V. ResearchGate - 3,143 Articles and a Few Lessons About Their Authors   - Scholarly Communications @ Duke

ACS V. ResearchGate - 3,143 Articles and a Few Lessons About Their Authors   - Scholarly Communications @ Duke

In October, Elsevier and ACS filed a new US copyright infringement lawsuit against ResearchGate [complaint]. Like the German ResearchGate lawsuit I wrote about last year, the basic premise of the suit is the same. This is how Elsevier and ACS describe ResearchGate's activities in the American lawsuit: In egregious violation of copyright law, ResearchGate provides … Continue reading ACS v. ResearchGate - 3,143 articles and a few lessons about their authors   →

Leading Open Access Supporters Ask EU To Investigate Elsevier's Alleged 'Anti-Competitive Practices'

Leading Open Access Supporters Ask EU To Investigate Elsevier's Alleged 'Anti-Competitive Practices'

Back in the summer, we wrote about the paleontologist Jon Tennant, who had submitted a formal complaint to the European Commission regarding the relationship between the publishing giant Elsevier and the EU's Open Science Monitor. Now Tennant has...

Boosting the Number of Students from Underrepresented Groups in Physics

Boosting the Number of Students from Underrepresented Groups in Physics

Programmes from high school through to graduate school are aiming to keep more women and people from underrepresented groups in the physical sciences.

Open Data Are a Boon for Underfunded Researchers

Open Data Are a Boon for Underfunded Researchers

Open-access data from repositories around the world have enabled a clinical researcher working in Jordan to make a bigger contribution to science.

Equality: a Question of Openness

Equality: a Question of Openness

The social scientist Marita Haas explored the interdependence of female career paths and institutional norms by melding gender, profession and biography. Leaving behind traditional role models requires an encouraging environment and structural measures, concludes the expert. 

Current Visa Restrictions a Threat to UK Establishing Itself As a Global Hub for Health and Science

Current Visa Restrictions a Threat to UK Establishing Itself As a Global Hub for Health and Science

A letter was sent to UK Home Secretary Sajid Javid MP expressing ‘grave concern about the current visa application process for international academics and scholars to visit the UK for academic conferences’.

The US Just Elected 8 New Scientists to Congress, Including an Ocean Expert, a Nurse, and a Biochemist. Here's the Full List.

The US Just Elected 8 New Scientists to Congress, Including an Ocean Expert, a Nurse, and a Biochemist. Here's the Full List.

On Tuesday, eight new science-credentialed candidates were elected: one senator and seven members of the House.

Action Plan Launched to Tackle Gender Inequality and Bullying in Chemistry

Action Plan Launched to Tackle Gender Inequality and Bullying in Chemistry

Bullying helpline and childcare grants among measures outlined in Royal Society of Chemistry report that reveals why chemistry has an equality problem.