Le istituzioni della scienza e i research corps nel Regno Unito tra warfare state e aspirazioni tecnocratiche, 1945-1964

The article analyzes the political-institutional history of scientific research in the United Kingdom between 1945 and 1964. This period was particular- ly intense for the development of relations between state and science, with particular attention to research governance and government scientists. The prevalent historiographical interpretation, considering humanistic culture dominant over scientific culture in the political, administrative and economic class of the United Kingdom, has often neglected and excessively reduced the importance of science and its interpreters in the post-war period. The paper analyzes the political-institutional evolution of the research corps, and it enhances the significant impact that scientists and technocrats have had on the British state in the first two decades after the war. [Publisher's text]