Project Outline: report 1
This study presents the results and methodology of a socio-cognitive mapping
exercise for coastal defense research in the Netherlands.1 A socio-cognitive mapping exercise aims to describe a field of research in terms of both cognitive development and of involved social actors.
Three aspects in particular are taken into account:
the concrete (research) activities of research groups and institutes;
the institutional context of the field, including domain policy, science policy,funding arrangements and collaboration networks, both within research and between research and policy;
the international (inter)disciplinary academic context. (Rathenau Institute 2006)
A socio-cognitive mapping exercise results in a descriptive overview of the research groups and institutes, the institutional arrangements and the international cognitive developments, that constitute a research field. Actors involved in the field – policy makers as well as researchers - may benefit from such an overview as it may inspire them to explore new research directions or to engage in new research collaborations.
