Perspectives of a global sociology of science. Publication cultures as a strategic research object

Publikationskulturen als strategischer Forschungsgegenstand

Authors

  • Meta Cramer Robert K. Merton Zentrum für Wissenschaftsforschung, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21241/

Keywords:

postcolonial sociology, decolonial sociology, sociology of science, higher education studies, science and technology studies

Abstract

  This article proposes a global sociology of science that focuses on the production of scientific knowledge in diverse historical and social contexts. Taking into account shared colonial pasts and presents, it explores how general societal structures relate to scientific practices, institutions, and research communities. First, works within global sociologies are discussed with regard to their common focus on a critique of knowledge. Then, the existing dialogue of these contributions with science studies is examined, and it is argued for a revisiting of Merton's contributions. Building on this, the article identifies publication cultures as a strategic research object for a dialogue between the two fields and refers to research from bibliometric and holistic perspectives. Using key contributions to the Latin American debate on publishing as examples, the article elaborates on how a global sociology of science might look like that accounts for the dynamics, global inequalities, and entanglements of science.

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Published

2026-10-07

Issue

Vol. 42 (2026): Transitions

Section

Sektion Wissenschafts- und Technikforschung: Aktuelle Perspektiven der Wissenschafts- und Techniksoziologie (Sek62)

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