Mapping the Money: A Social Network Analysis of Funding Relationships among Higher Education Biology Opinion Leaders. Issue 1 (15th June 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lamm, Alexa J.; Lamm, Kevan W.
• Is Part Of: Natural sciences education. Volume 46:Issue 1(2017)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 10
• Publication Date: 2017-06-15
• Subjects: Agricultural education -- Periodicals; Life sciences -- Study and teaching -- Periodicals; Natural resources -- Study and teaching -- Periodicals; 507.1
• DOI: 10.4195/nse2017.03.0006
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2168-8281

Abstract

Abstract : Core Ideas: Securing grant funding for science education is more important than ever. The National Science Foundation, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and National Institute of General Medical Sciences were central actors in funding networks. Relationships between sources can provide opportunities and gateways for future funding. For the United States to maintain its leading position as a country of scientific innovation, the approach to undergraduate biology education needs to change. At the same time, post‐secondary education is undergoing significant changes in governance and accountability, creating threats to basic research and emphasizing the need for educators to more proactively seek grant funding to support their teaching and research agendas. The purpose of this study was to examine how social networks emerged among post‐secondary undergraduate biology education opinion leaders, specifically as it related to sources of funding within a conceptual framework of opinion leadership and social network theory. A total of 295 funding activities were identified across 50 organizations from a sample of 32 opinion leaders. Network analysis identified six distinct sub‐groups within the network, with the National Science Foundation, National Institute of General Medical Sciences, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture emerging as the most central within the network. Recommendations include developing a funding strategy based on observed network ties between organizations and looking for opportunities to collaborate across domains to strengthen funding efforts. Integration of these efforts should lead to enhanced teaching and research in the biological and life sciences that will attract a stronger and more diverse group of students prepared to enter the STEM workforce.