Research organization in the university: the case of a leading Uruguayan group in basic science

Abstract

This article presents the results of a case study of a university research group in basic science, the Laboratory of Enzymology and Free Radicals at the Universidad de la Repblica, Uruguay. The study explores some of the research dynamics and rationales within the university setting. It also analyses the relationship between science and society based on the links between the research group and the productive sectors. The study noted that research groups are not always stable structures and tend to change according to institutional policies, economic contexts, disciplinary evolutions and personal motivations for research. In this regard, the article contends that the expansion of research capacities on a developing country university setting can be based on integrated strategies of research organization, group management and symbolic rewards for researchers.