How Do We Democratize Scientific Research?

"I would argue that the current gatekeeper structure of formal (mostly academic) research creates the conditions that foster a war on science. Much of current professional progress in research rewards chasing popular ideas that are sometimes based on a fragile foundation, leading to an abundance of half-baked science. In light of this, one can say that this disaster scenario already exists, even among the highly credentialed. Much of what we fear in a democratized research world is already happening in our gated research world.

How would an effort to democratize research help? And how would it work?

The first steps towards a democratized future might be easier than we think. People in academic leadership around the country could champion scientists’ efforts to create the necessary tools for democratizing science. Say a respected applied mathematician translates a data science textbook into the Quechua language, or creates a version that is digestible to curious children living in Kiev, Gaza, or Kinshasa. Or what if a renowned physicist develops an independent science platform, dedicated to evaluating the original ideas of uncredentialed scientists (much like the fictional journal that we began with)? ..."