In recent years the demand for and the use of science, technology and innovation indicators increased significantly. On the one hand science policy is asking for ‘objective’ data to assess the performance, position and interaction of the various players in the STI system. Among other things, this can be explained by the widespread move towards new modes of governance which increasingly can be characterized as ’governing by competition’. On the other hand science itself is calling for a better understanding of its knowledge production, dissemination and transfer processes. Both sides serve as continuous driving forces for the development of quantitative studies of science, technology and innovation.

New demands also emerged as a consequence of the growing complexity of science and innovation systems. This concerns, for instance, interactions at the regional, national and international level but also changes in the scientific communication due to the increasing relevance of new communication channels. Consequently new data sources open up new analytical options and new indicators emerge addressing these aspects (e. g. collaboration indicators, web indicators, indicators on human resources, career advancement and mobility). Existing indicators are put to test whether they are still adequate and address the needs of science policy as much as science studies.

The conference aims to provide a locus both for general methodological discussion concerning new indicators, their use in policymaking and the realm of science of science studies. The requirements for data generation, indicator production, also for specific domains, their design, methodology, experimental development and application will be discussed.

We invite submission for papers to be presented to the conference on the following key topics:

• Measuring and assessing benefits of science (including scientific outputs, innovation, social and environmental benefits)
• Knowledge transfer, knowledge exchange and specific issues relating to translational research
• Science push or pull factors for societal change
• Governance by competition:  modes, instruments, effects and impacts of competition in research funding
• Impact of performance-based funding systems
• Production and reproduction of hierarchy: pros and cons of university rankings
• The geography of science and higher education systems: globalization, regionalization and localization processes
• Cross-sectoral research collaborations: fertilization or impediment?