Dr. Rhodri Leng

Biography

Rhodri Leng is a lecturer in Science, Technology, Innovation Studies at the University of Edinburgh. His core research program, developed in the book 'Matter Facts' (MIT Press, 2020), concerns the influence of science on public opinion, how ideas are accepted or rejected in particular communities, and the dynamics of these communities over time. Rhodri employs a mixed-methods approach, integrating quantitative techniques with qualitative case-study methods. He focuses on science mapping techniques, especially citation network analysis, to trace the development of research fields and to analyze textual content pertaining to specific theories and hypotheses. His current research investigates the dynamics of scientific fields, including the emergence, evolution, and decline of research topics, and dissemination biases in scientific literature. Rhodri has contributed significantly to debates on the reliability of published work, particularly in relation to policy and industry implications in the context of increasing misinformation. Having extensive teaching experience, he equips students with critical skills in systematically reviewing academic literature and analyzing the dynamics of knowledge production. Rhodri holds a first-class MA in Politics from the University of Glasgow, a postgraduate MA in Political and Legal Philosophy from the University of York, and an MSc and PhD in Science and Technology Studies from the University of Edinburgh.

Research Interests

Experience