16464: Curing the Pathology of Big Science: Reinventing “Trading Zones” as Science-Industry Collaboration

Big Science or the proliferation in scale and complexity of scientific endeavours such as the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) and Stanford Linear Accelerator Center (SLAC) is an important part of the research and innovation ecosystem that entails extensive cross-boundary collaboration between science and industry. However, societal contributions of Big Science remain contested especially due to the exorbitant cost incurred by governments and the society. The term "pathology of Big Science" is even coined to describe the degradation of critical thinking and scientific rigour brought by the introduction of Big Science. The large, technically complex, and cross-boundary collaboration found in Big Science is also no trivial task to manage. In this panel symposium, we utilize the concept of "trading zones" or the arenas where groups with differing norms, values, and objectives can coordinate activities and exchange ideas as our overarching conceptual construct to overcome cross-boundary collaboration challenges. We advocate for the reinvention of how communities and groups in Big Science interact within "trading zones" with concepts such as open innovation in science, boundary infrastructure, and serendipity to cure the "pathology of Big Science" and elevate its societal benefits to new heights.