Invisible forces: the contribution of universities’ proffessional staff to knowledge production within the academic ecosystem
Using an innovative ecological perspective, the objective of this project is to conceptualize and optimize the contribution of professional staff of universities to knowledge production within in the academic ecosystem. It compares case studies in the US, the Netherlands and Spain.  Professional staff does not teach or do research, but is involved in organizing these tasks. Despite this body of staff now making up 20- 50% of university employees, this study is the first to consider its contribution to knowledge production. Insights into this major but still poorly understood component of universities contributes to more efficient and effective use of these public resources. The relevance and urgency of this project are that the European Commission will allocate approximately €40 billion to universities in Horizon Europe. The project investigates the expertise of professional staff, the way it concentrates and uses its expertise, the power that it exercises through it and the effects of its power on academic knowledge production. The study consists of 1) a literature review 2) network analysis 3) ethnographic studies of professional staff in six universities and 4) the construction of a conceptual model to explain the function of professional staff in academic knowledge production. The fellow will receive training at The University of Chicago and Leiden University and through a secondment at INGENIO (CSIC/UPV). It includes an ethnography course, network analysis training and teaching and supervision tasks. This facilitates the fellow’s transition into a mature researcher, well-prepared to establish a group studying the relationship between university governance and academic practice. Results will be shared with 1) academic (seminars, conference presentations and journal publications) 2) professionals (blogs, a conference presentation and journal publication for professional staff and 3) the wider audience (presentations at science events and a videoblog.)