This major book presents not only a unique vision of the likely requirements for investment in research equipment during the coming decade but also valuable information on needs and priorities in a broad spectrum of disciplines ranging from the physical and biological sciences to newly-instrumenting humanities fields such as archaeology. Particular attention is given to considering how these needs might be met cost-effectively by better planning and management of scientific resources - for example, increased sharing of costly equipment by researchers from different disciplines or institutions.

Equipping Science for the 21st Century will be essential reading for research scientists, government officials, funding agencies, professional scientific associations and others concerned with the future direction of science.

'Equipping Science for the 21st Century deals with important and significant sets of issues. . . . and is a contribution to the academic literature and a valuable source of information. . . . this book certainly provides a good basis for further investigation and discussion.' -- Maria Nedeva, Research Policy

Edited by John Irvine, formerly Director of Science Policy Research Consultants and Visiting Fellow at The Management School, Imperial College, University of London, UK, with Ben Martin, Professor of Science and Technology Policy Studies, SPRU - Science and Technology Policy Research, University of Sussex, UK, Dorothy Griffiths, formerly Senior Lecturer and Head of the Organizational Behaviour and Human Resource Management Section, The Management School, Imperial College, University of London, UK and the late Roel Gathier, formerly Head of the Division of Finance and Control, Directorate for Research and Science Policy, Dutch Ministry of Education, Science and Culture, The Netherlands