The Contradictions of Professionalism: Scientists,Trade Unionism and the First World War

The 1914-18 war had a profound effect upon the professional identity and self-esteem of scientists and engineers in Europe. For the growing community of young science graduates, many or them products of university expansion after 1890, the experience of working together on urgent problems of direct applicability to the war effort raised immediate questions of status and recognition. in Britain, the 'national interest' and international rivalry had prompted the expansion in science numbers; but who would ensure that the 'pay and prospects' problem which had beset the angry pre-war years would not revive once the emergency ended? To secure scientists and engineers an economic future, and a political say in scientific affairs, became the goal of several militant associations. From 1917, riding the crest of the wave of trades unionism and industrial reorganiz, ion occurring m the country generally, these militant groups drew variously on university researchers, industrial scientists and technical experts in government service. Of these, perhaps the most famous, and intellectually most important, was the National Union of Scientific Workers. The early history of the NUSW reveals some of the motives impelling political organization in science and the conflict between professional values and political goals which remains with such organizations today.