Dr. Alex Rushforth

Dr. Alex Rushforth is a scholar in the fields of sociology of science and science policy, with his research and teaching centered on the areas of research evaluation, bibliometrics, science governance and science and technology studies (STS) more broadly. His work critically explores the role of performance indicators and evaluation in shaping the scientific research. A significant aspect of Dr. Rushforth’s research is his examination of the strategic and epistemic responses of researchers to evaluation practices, offering insights into how these devices influence scientific work, academic cultures, and evaluation and funding practices.

A recent focus of Dr. Rushforth’s research is the study of science reform movements, particularly initiatives calling for research assessment reform and open research information. By analyzing these initiatives through critical sociological and STS lenses, his work provides valuable perspectives on the complex challenges and goals of transforming research evaluation and scholarly communication/data analytics practices, and how these reform movements impact research governance processes.

Currently Dr. Rushforth is project co-lead of the AGORRA project at the Research on Research Institute (RoRI), where he works with an inspiring network of funders, policymakers and academic researchers. This five-year, international program investigates national research assessment systems across diverse national and regional contexts. AGORRA’s goal is to equip policymakers, funders and institutional leaders with real-time feedback and information on different types of assessment and funding systems, and to support mutual learning and context-sensitive innovations for advancing responsible, inclusive forms of research assessment. Through AGORRA and other initiatives, Dr. Rushforth is committed to advancing a more flexible, responsive approach to research assessment that more closely aligns with public values and societal purposes of academic research.

Outside sociology of science, Dr. Rushforth also has longstanding interest in medical sociology, particularly in the organization and delivery of healthcare. His academic journey began with a PhD from Surrey University, where he focused on the complex processes involved in translating research and innovation into clinical practice. Dr. Rushforth later undertook post-doctoral research at Oxford University, examining how technology can support organizational change and learning within healthcare systems.

The Covid-19 pandemic redirected some of Dr. Rushforth's research at Oxford toward investigating the emergence of long Covid activism. This work delved into how patients, advocacy groups, and healthcare professionals mobilize to address the needs of long Covid patients, examining the social dynamics and influence of activism on healthcare delivery, policy, and awareness. Through this research with colleagues, Dr. Rushforth contributed insights on patient-led movements and their impact on the evolving landscape of healthcare response and policy adaptation.

Dr. Rushforth is coordinator of the introductory undergraduate course 'Science, Technology and Society' and currently serves on the board of examiners for the BSc program Science for Sustainable Societies at Leiden University.

Dr. Rushforth is currently co-supervising the following PhD candidates:

• Nino (Nina) Gogadze
• Tanya Lee
• Rinze Benedictus (part-time)

Publications

A recent list of publications can be found here:
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3352-943X