Scientific research and “Third University Mission”: what role for the University

In recent years, in relation to socio-economic and legal-institutional changes universities faced a significant internal change that contributed to deepen the crisis of the traditional teaching-learning structure. The assertion of a university of mass, the proliferation of degree courses, the gradual reduction of resources allocated to research, the development of scientific and technological research are necessary to outline new strategies of governance in the university. This change can be understood within the broader transition from modern society to post-modern society, characterized by a double recurrence: the paradigm change from a rational, linear vision and a unidirectional relationship of the history and system-actor; the strategic weight held by information, defined ”knowledge society”. In this framework, we can understand the lively debate within the academy that develops under the label of “Third University Mission”, aimed to understand how the enhancement of economic and social outcomes of scientific and technological research is possible. Given the importance of these issues, the author focuses on the definition of the most important scenarios of change contributed to this process. She reflects on the social mandate assigned in the twenty-first century to the University and the 1 PhD in “Social System, Organizational and Public Policy Analysis” (15st Cycle), Social Science Department (DIeS),”La Sapienza”, Rome University, Professor of Sociology. Tuscia University.  different ways in which this can be explained. The author concludes the work with some brief reflections on the complex relationships between innovation-research and development.