Felipe Romero (University of Groningen): ‘The conceptual origins of metascience: fashion or revolution?’

Abstract. Ten years into the replication crisis, many scientists are experiencing a deep sense of worry and skepticism. In reaction to this problem, an optimistic wave of researchers has taken the lead, turning their scientific eyes onto science itself to make science better. These metascientists have made progress in studying the causes of the crisis and proposing solutions. They have identified questionable research practices and bad statistics as potential culprits. They have defended statistical and publication reforms as solutions. Lastly, they are designing technological tools (benefiting from developments in related fields such as data science, machine learning, and complexity science) to support such reforms. The term metascience precedes the replication crisis. However, only now is metascience becoming institutionalized: there is an increasing community of practitioners, societies, conferences, and research centers. This institutionalization and its perils require philosophical attention. It is worth stepping back and asking foundational questions about it. How did metascience emerge? Where does the novelty of metascience lie? How does metascience relate to other fields that take science as their subject matter? This talk focuses on the conceptual origins of metascience. I explore three different models of discipline creation and change, and seek to understand whether they can make sense of the emergence of metascience. I suggest that metascientific progress requires going beyond the popular perception of metascience as an empirical field.

Felipe Romero is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Theoretical Philosophy at the University of Groningen. His research falls in the domains of philosophy of science, social epistemology, and philosophy of cognitive science. He works primarily on understanding how the social organization of research activities affects their epistemic outcomes. He also has projects on causation and explanation in cognitive science, and knowledge ascriptions. He explores these topics supporting conceptual analysis with empirical literature, case studies, and computational models.

This event will take place in person on LSE’s campus. However, those unable to attend in person will have the option of taking part online.

To join online just follow these instructions:

• Download Zoom
• Register in advance for this meeting: https://lse.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAof-qvpjguEtE6EsEc2nXThgR6XcBUP1SR

Please note that these events are routinely recorded, with the edited footage being made publicly available on our website and YouTube channel. We will only record the audio, the slides and the speaker and will not include the Q&A section. However, any question asked during the talk itself will feature in the final edit.