On June 21-22, I had the privilege of attending the 43rd annual Forum on Science and Technology Policy hosted by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). The forum brings together scientists, researchers, students, members of the media, and government affairs professionals to learn about current and future trends in science and technology policy from prominent academic, government, and industry speakers.
I was immediately struck by the number of participants and their commitment to engaging with the public policy process. I had the pleasure of meeting graduate students looking to launch careers in public service, public affairs professionals focused on developing impactful science messaging for public consumption, and senior researchers curious to hear the latest news from Washington. I even met a few BPS members, including James Staros, University of Massachusetts – Amherst, who proudly has been a BPS member since 1979!
Overall, many speakers were somber about the rise of populist governments in the West and declining US/EU leadership in science investment and policy. The loss of manufacturing jobs, rising healthcare costs, and long-term fiscal risks due to increasing government deficits are squeezing middle classes and national investments in science around the world. These phenomena have contributed to the rise of a new set of populist politicians who attack elites and education, fan anti-immigrant sentiments, and prey on the growing economic anxieties of their people. While the West is grappling with these domestic challenges, China is focused on assuming the mantle as the world’s leading science nation. China recently unveiled its Made in China 2025 plan, which calls for strategic investments in domestic high-tech industries like clean energy, pharmaceuticals, and telecommunications, and is pumping tens of billions into basic research initiatives.
While these challenges and shifting international landscapes are daunting, the speakers largely expressed optimism about the future of science and science policy. Susan Hockfield, President Emerita, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, proudly stated that the future of science is extremely bright as the recent pace of innovation in science and technology has seemingly known no bounds. However, she cautioned the audience, the scientific community must do more to ensure these advances are broadly enjoyed by society, not just by a select few.
In the United States, despite federal budget proposals from the Trump Administration that seek draconian cuts to basic research funding, the Congress has moved forward with raising the domestic spending caps. The National Science Foundation (NSF), the National Institute of Health, and other science-funding agencies will see their budgets rise in the coming fiscal years and are pushing full-speed ahead on some exciting initiatives. France Cordova, Director, NSF, outlined the agency’s 10 Big Ideas initiative, which promises to convene multidisciplinary research teams around long-term societal challenges like the future of work and the changing arctic environment. Jason Boehm, Director, Program Coordination Office, National Institute of Standards and Technology, informed the audience of their efforts to boost manufacturing and product innovation and to invest in workforce training programs.
However, what struck me most at the forum was the public’s lack of knowledge about science and scientists. Kenny Gibbs Jr., Director, NIGMS Postdoctoral Research Associate Training Program, NIH, shared several pie charts that showed less than 20% of adults in the US can name a living scientist. I took this as a challenge to work even harder to develop succinct and compelling policy messages and push the Society’s Biophysics In Your Backyard efforts to encourage members to communicate and get involved with their local communities.
In closing, the AAAS Science and Techology Policy Forum is an excellent event to network and discuss the current state of science policy. If you’re interested in attending in the future, please visit AAAS.