Metaphors of Databases as Early Indicators of Integration and Support in Scientific Research Networks

Contemporary scientific databases are created within dynamic and heterogeneous networks of actors, institutions and technologies. Within these networks, databases are conceptualised by using various metaphors, such as a database as ?a resource to be mined?. The aim of this project is to study the complex interactions within networks, by analysing their communication. In this communication, metaphors play a crucial role. By making a comparison with a known entity, each metaphor focuses on a particular aspect of a complex issue, thereby shaping how it is understood. This function makes metaphors important tools of communication, both within specific social domains (among researchers), and in the communication between domains (between the public and policy-makers). The metaphors imply not only a definition of the database (databank, community repository, digital workbench, etc), but also of its governance (?community?, ?federated?) and of its purpose (data-mining, virtual experiments). Metaphors are powerful means to communicate across domains and important for social action. In the case of a database, they shape expectations about what a database will be, how one may participate in its operation and how it may be used for research. An analysis of metaphors makes visible the different expectations and actions of networks around a database. This project examines metaphors as early indicators of the integration and support of emerging databases in research networks. In order to gain insight into database-building processes, we explore how the richness and diversity of metaphors, used in communications and conceptualisation of databases, can be traced and analysed. The substantial focus is on three database projects in the field of human and population genetics. All three case studies are embedded in complex networks, and represent contemporary scientific practices and partnerships. They involve European states (European Centre of Excellence in Genome Research, using ?national twins registers?), a state/corporate partnership (MRC/Wellcome?s Biobank, UK), while the third network has a primarily corporate foundation, with strong ties to academic research (Newfound Genomics). We analyse the main metaphors of data and databases present in the networks around these three projects to gain insight into two main issues: the involvement of various constituencies and the way databases are given shape as socio-technical systems. Specifically, we consider four domains of actors involved in networks of database productions: policy-making bodies and funding agencies, researchers, participants (human subjects) and the public, and corporate bodies. As to the kind of socio-technical system constituted, we use metaphors to analyse the following aspects: (1) the development of databases as novel ?tools? or ?resources? for scientific research, (2) the governance and social involvement of actors in network around the database, and (3) the implied purposes and suggested uses of databases.