Scientific collaboration and sites of chemistry: a Spanish case study in the first half of the 20th century

The study of schools of scientific research and research groups has been approached from different disciplines, such as sociology or the history of science, with the aim of analyzing the changes and evolution of science and its paradigms, the professionalization of scientific activities, scientific styles, emergence of scientific specialties and the intensity of scientific relationships. This paper considers the role of Jose Casares Gil (1866-1961) for producing a historical study on the relation between research schools, scientific sites and scientific collaboration. Jose Casares ran several university and institutional laboratories, such as the central customs laboratory of Madrid, and the chemical analysis laboratories of the faculties of pharmacy in Barcelona and Madrid. These spaces allowed him to be in contact with many students, colleagues, industrialists and members of other institutions. By considering these spaces this paper will discuss whether Casares succeeded in creating a research school.