Conveners
How do we make progress in science?
- David Alexander (Durham University)
Description
Organisers: David Alexander, Ryan Hickox, Ulrike Kuchner
How do we make progress in scientific (more specifically astronomy) research? Astronomy is strongly driven by new facilities, cutting edge observatories that explore new regions of parameter space and ever more powerful computers that allow for the investigation of more refined physics at higher spatial and temporal resolution. But scientific progress is more than just exploitation of new facilities: larger datasets from existing facilities, the utilisation of new analysis techniques, possibly adapted from different disciplines, facilitated community engagement, and inspiration are also powerful drivers of progress.
In this lunchtime session we, a group of astronomers, philosophers, and sociologists, aim to discuss how scientists make progress in research and how we can recognise and track this progress, including demonstrating some of the tools and approaches at our disposal. All are welcome to join!
