‘America can’t be great without great science. That is where the Academies can help.’ | National Academies
peter.suber's bookmarks 2025-03-11
Summary:
"Recent actions by the federal government affecting agencies that fund science in the United States have sent shock waves through the research community. We sat down with National Academy of Sciences President Marcia McNutt to discuss her views on the current situation and how the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine are navigating the turbulence....
First of all, we are working to reach officials in the administration who will be sensitive to the likely impacts of these actions on the health, security, economic opportunity, and well-being of all Americans.
Second, we are using the contacts here at the Academies and among our members to directly appeal to other individuals who may share some of the administration’s goals. We are working with them to demonstrate how the scientific evidence base suggests some of the tactics the administration is taking now may not lead to the goals that they want to accomplish.
I am also preparing to deliver my second annual State of the Science address a little later this year. Last year’s address set a baseline for what kind of contributions science was making to U.S. leadership. In what areas of research are we leading? Where are we losing leadership? What are the threats to the U.S. scientific enterprise?
This year’s address will include many measures which show that the scientific enterprise in America is being impoverished in the long-term, and that this will likely lead to shortages of talent and innovations that spur new industries. ...
The mantra of this administration is, of course, to make America great. Well, science has been a big part of what has made America great, and America can’t be great without great science. That is where the Academies can help. If the nation has to prioritize areas of science to fund, I think the Academies can help by identifying the areas that are poised for breakthroughs or that can greatly contribute to America’s future, and how to lead the world in these areas. I think that is the kind of analysis that the Academies are uniquely suited to do.
For example, we are doing a fast-track study on reducing red tape for researchers that should be useful to the new administration. It could dramatically increase the efficiency of federally supported science. I am actually quite intrigued by the thought that AI could be harnessed for regulatory compliance....
we are reaching out to cabinet secretaries and leaders of independent government agencies as they have been confirmed, to find out how our evidence-based analyses can be helpful. At the same time, we are also, of course, working through Congress, and this is where Academy members in their role as constituents have an advantage, particularly Academy members whose representatives are on key committees with oversight on appropriation, science, and other research-related areas. I really encourage members to talk to their members of Congress; as their constituents, they have more impact...."