Provably Correct Systems: Community, connections, and citations
For researchers in formal methods, this paper provides a historical and sociological analysis of a key research initiative, but the findings are largely descriptive and incremental.
This paper examines the legacy of the ProCoS projects on provably correct systems, using Ernst-Rüdiger Olderog as a case study, and analyzes the research community through coauthorship and citation networks. It finds that the projects fostered a lasting community of practice in formal methods.
The original European ESPRIT ProCoS I and II projects on Provably Correct Systems} took place around a quarter of a century ago. Since then the legacy of the initiative has spawned many researchers with careers in formal methods. One of the leaders on the ProCoS projects was Ernst-Rüdiger Olderog. This paper charts the influence of the ProCoS projects and the subsequent ProCoS-WG Working Group, using Prof. Dr Olderog as an example. The community of researchers surrounding an initiative such as ProCoS is considered in the context of the social science concept of a Community of Practice (CoP) and the collaborations undertaken through coauthorship of and citations to publications. Consideration of citation metrics is also included.