Science - Society Relations Enhancement: Policy Implications and Some Scientometric Evidences

The paper considers the significant transformations in the social dimensions of science in last decades. It is argued that science is no more “productive force” only, but it becomes a powerful factor for economic growth, enhancement of quality of life and social prosperity. Another tendency is the enhanced science-policy interactions, as well as the growing role of knowledge transfer and research ethics. New concepts, related to the increasing importance of the social functions of science, have occurred - “knowledge society, “knowledge-based economy, “sustainable development”. The scientometric study, presented in the paper, based on counting the publications on science-society relations and issuing new scientific journals on the considered topic, supports these statements.