Institution from "summary" of The Disordered Cosmos by Chanda Prescod-Weinstein
In physics, we often think of institutions as the places where we do our work: universities, national laboratories, and research institutes. However, institutions are more than just physical spaces. They are also social structures that shape the way science is done, who gets to do it, and whose work is valued. Institutions can be both formal and informal. Formal institutions include academic departments, professional organizations, and funding agencies. These institutions have explicit rules and hierarchies that govern how science is conducted and how knowledge is produced. Informal institutions, on the other hand, are the unwritten norms and practices that shape the culture of a field. These can include things like who gets invited to give talks at conferences, who gets credit for ideas, and who gets excluded from opportunities. Institutions play a critical role in shaping the scientific community. They determine who is considered a legitimate scientist, whose ideas are taken seriously, and who gets access to resources. This can have profound consequences for who gets to participate in science and whose voices are heard. In order to create a more just and inclusive scientific community, we need to critically examine the institutions that shape our field. This means questioning the assumptions and biases that underlie our practices, and working to create new structures that support diversity and equity. By challenging the status quo and advocating for change, we can begin to build a more equitable and inclusive scientific community for all.
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