Research Schools

Whether conceived of as "research groups", "knowledge factories" or "invisible colleges", the research schools examined in this volume are observed in the historical and cultural contexts of their disciplines, their institutional settings, their national traditions and scientific styles. Given its broad overview, the volume raises questions about how research skills are learned, how scientists reach consensus, and the roles originality, competition and leadership play in scientific research. Contributors include: John W. Servos on research schools and their histories; Kathryn M. Olesko on tacit knowledge and school formation; Alan J. Rocke on Kolbe's Marburg and Leipzig institutes; R. Steven Turner on vision studies conducted by Helmholtz and Hering; Maryjo Nye on the national styles of French and English chemistry; Jack Morrell on W. H. Perkin Jr; Pamela M. Henson on the Comstock school in evolutionary entomology; Joel B. Hagen on the internal dynamics of the Clementsian ecologists; Jose M. Sanchez-Ron on Spain's first school of physics; and David S. Kushner on Sir George Darwin and British geophysics.