Science appears to be unified, but it is a complex and heterogeneous field whose boundaries are difficult to define. Moreover, this field is constantly changing. Consequently, the image of science is also subject to change. For some, science should be an objective, independent search for truth; others find this an illusion and believe that it is actually a good thing that the agenda of science is co-determined by society, business, politics and citizens. It is important to know what the historical and philosophical roots of science as disinterested truth-seeking are, and when and why that picture started to change. Answers to these questions can help us design an image of science that does justice to the complex context in which modern science operates. These questions are related to questions about how science policy can be shaped. The questions submitted show a broad interest in the process of science itself, the scientist as a person and contextual factors that can stimulate or inhibit science. Integrity discussions also raise questions about how science is conducted, whether the current systems are adequate, and whether alternative models are conceivable. There are also questions about how we should shape effective policy for science.
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Many questions have important societal implications, such as how to ensure that society and politics learn and use more of the facts that have become known from scientific research. There are also questions with economic implications, such as how to keep top scientists in the Netherlands and not lose them abroad. Answers to descriptive questions about, for example, the historical roots of the current structure of our universities, will provide important input for normative questions about the purpose and usefulness of science. Design questions with policy implications can build on this. This has implications for science policy in particular, but also for policies on (higher) education and the knowledge economy. Consider the question of what other models are conceivable for doing and assessing science. Interdisciplinary research is needed to answer these questions properly, in which disciplines such as philosophy, history, sociology, policy sciences, political science and economics will play a role.
