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The Current Context for Science and Public Policy
EPA STAR FellowsSeptember 22, 2009
The Current Context for Science and Public PolicyEPA STAR Fellows, September 22, 2009
First, a few words about “science policy”
The Current Context for Science and Public PolicyEPA STAR Fellows, September 22, 2009
“Science Policy” is an amorphous concept with different meanings to different people (agencies)
Has two forms
The Current Context for Science and Public PolicyEPA STAR Fellows, September 22, 2009
The two faces of “science policy”
Policies surrounding the funding and conduct of science
Use of science in making public policy
The Current Context for Science and Public PolicyEPA STAR Fellows, September 22, 2009
“Hot” current policy issues surrounding science Budgets
What to do after the stimulus funding “The cliff”
Transformative (high risk-high payoff) research Keeping the pipeline of investigators healthy Conflicts of interest
The Current Context for Science and Public PolicyEPA STAR Fellows, September 22, 2009
The two faces of “science policy”
Policies surrounding the funding and conduct of science
Use of science in making public policy
The Current Context for Science and Public PolicyEPA STAR Fellows, September 22, 2009
Why do we have science anyway?
To provide natural explanations of the nature and workings of the natural world Whether we like the answers or not!
To improve the human condition
The Current Context for Science and Public PolicyEPA STAR Fellows, September 22, 2009
Baseline truism:
Science and technology are ever-more imbedded in every aspect of modern life!
The Current Context for Science and Public PolicyEPA STAR Fellows, September 22, 2009
Some major global societal issues Environmentally sustainable development Need for renewable energy sources Information and communications technology Universal access to education Poverty and economic opportunity Technology-based manufacturing and jobs Intellectual property rights Terrorism International security Natural disasters Science and technology capacity building Vaccines and medical therapies against infectious diseases Quality and accessibility of health care
The Current Context for Science and Public PolicyEPA STAR Fellows, September 22, 2009
Corollaries:
For people to prosper in modern society, they need fundamental understanding and comfort with S&T
For nations to prosper they need Scientific capacity National policies that reflect the best science
For science to prosper, the science-society relationship must be positive and strong
The Current Context for Science and Public PolicyEPA STAR Fellows, September 22, 2009
Public sentiment is everything. With public sentiment, nothing can fail; without it, nothing can succeed. Abraham Lincoln
The Current Context for Science and Public PolicyEPA STAR Fellows, September 22, 2009
The science-society relationship has not always been smooth
Think Galileo!
The Current Context for Science and Public PolicyEPA STAR Fellows, September 22, 2009
The science-society relationship has been rather tense over the last decade
The Current Context for Science and Public PolicyEPA STAR Fellows, September 22, 2009
As Charles Dickens would say…..
We’ve been living in the best of times And the worst of times
The Current Context for Science and Public PolicyEPA STAR Fellows, September 22, 2009
On the one handWe’re living in the best of scientific times
The Current Context for Science and Public PolicyEPA STAR Fellows, September 22, 2009
Advances in science are coming at a fantastic pace
The rate of incremental advance is accelerating New technologies are enabling quantum jumps in
understanding With great practical significance
The Current Context for Science and Public PolicyEPA STAR Fellows, September 22, 2009
On the other hand….
The Current Context for Science and Public PolicyEPA STAR Fellows, September 22, 2009
Other issues within science are not going so well…and negatively affect the broader (societal) context for science
Incidents of scientific misconduct Human subjects concerns Animal welfare issues Conflict of interest problems
The Current Context for Science and Public PolicyEPA STAR Fellows, September 22, 2009
These are factors internal to science
There are problematic external factors as well
The Current Context for Science and Public PolicyEPA STAR Fellows, September 22, 2009
People generally still respect science and technology….
Source: Science and Engineering Indicators, 2008
The Current Context for Science and Public PolicyEPA STAR Fellows, September 22, 2009
They have little understanding of what is and is not science
60% of Americans believe in extrasensory perception
41% think astrology is somewhat scientific 47% still do not answer “true” to the statement:
“Human beings developed from earlier species of animals”
Science and Engineering Indicators, 2004
The Current Context for Science and Public PolicyEPA STAR Fellows, September 22, 2009
Some Americans have reservations about scienceAgree
%
Disagree
%
Science makes our way of life change too fast 38 59
Scientific research has created as many problems for society as it has solutions
52 41
Scientific research these days doesn’t pay enough attention to the moral values of society
56 37
We depend too much on science and not enough on faith
50 45
Science and Engineering Indicators, 2006
There’s a lesson here!
The Current Context for Science and Public PolicyEPA STAR Fellows, September 22, 2009
People need to know more about science as an enterprise
What makes something scientific? The limits of scientific investigation
Natural explanations of the natural world
The Current Context for Science and Public PolicyEPA STAR Fellows, September 22, 2009
Much science-society tension results from conflicts between scientific findings and
Political/economic expediency Core human values
The Current Context for Science and Public PolicyEPA STAR Fellows, September 22, 2009
One political (economic) example…
Is there global warming?
2005 was the hottest year on record; the 13 hottest all occurred since 1990, 23 out of the 24 hottest since 1980.
J. Hansen et al., PNAS 103: 14288-293 (26 Sept 2006)
Green bars show 95% confidence intervals
The Earth continues to get hotter
°C
The Current Context for Science and Public PolicyEPA STAR Fellows, September 22, 2009
Within science, whether the earth is warming is no longer controversial
What to do about it is controversial!
The Current Context for Science and Public PolicyEPA STAR Fellows, September 22, 2009
Science-society tension results from conflicts between scientific findings and
Political/economic expediency Core human values
The Current Context for Science and Public PolicyEPA STAR Fellows, September 22, 2009
Current scientific issues that abut against core values
Embryonic stem cell research Studying “personal” topics
Sex Genetics of behavior
Teaching “Intelligent Design” versus evolution in science classrooms
Neuroscience – mind/body issues
The Current Context for Science and Public PolicyEPA STAR Fellows, September 22, 2009
L. Chang, M.D., T. Ernst, Ph.D., O. Speck, Ph.D.Harbor-UCLA Medical CenterGenerating words (left brain dominant)
LeftLeft
RightRight
DorsalDorsal
VentralVentralAnteriorAnterior
posteriorposteriorLL
RR
LL
RR
SMASMA
Broca’s areaBroca’s area
Broca’s areaBroca’s area
Parietal CortexParietal Cortex
Functional MRI of a “normal” subject writing a talk
Chang, et al.
The Current Context for Science and Public PolicyEPA STAR Fellows, September 22, 2009
“Conflict” with politics and values has consequences for the science-society relationship
Creating a growing divide between science and the rest of society
Society wants to exert too much influence on what science is done
The Current Context for Science and Public PolicyEPA STAR Fellows, September 22, 2009
These conflicts get played out in policy settings!
The Current Context for Science and Public PolicyEPA STAR Fellows, September 22, 2009
We need to bring science to policymakers
That means you!
The Current Context for Science and Public PolicyEPA STAR Fellows, September 22, 2009
Policymakers (often/typically) reflect their constituents
And therefore the science-society tension/conflict can make for non-rational policy
The Current Context for Science and Public PolicyEPA STAR Fellows, September 22, 2009
What to do about the science-society tension?
The Current Context for Science and Public PolicyEPA STAR Fellows, September 22, 2009
We always feel we need more “public education” about science
The Current Context for Science and Public PolicyEPA STAR Fellows, September 22, 2009
But we can’t just “educate” our way out of today’s tough issues
The problem is not just lack of understanding People do understand much of what we’re saying or
want to do They don’t like it
The conflict with their core values trumps their view of societal benefits
The Current Context for Science and Public PolicyEPA STAR Fellows, September 22, 2009
What can we do?
Continue protesting/lamenting the situation The problem is not going to go away “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and
expecting a different outcome”
The Current Context for Science and Public PolicyEPA STAR Fellows, September 22, 2009
What can we do?
Continue protesting/lamenting the situation Adopt a more assertive strategy
Engage with the public on the issues Try to find common ground
The Current Context for Science and Public PolicyEPA STAR Fellows, September 22, 2009
Public PublicUnderstanding Engagement
The Current Context for Science and Public PolicyEPA STAR Fellows, September 22, 2009
Communicating Communicating to the public with the public
We need to change not only the style and content but also the intent of the conversation:
The Current Context for Science and Public PolicyEPA STAR Fellows, September 22, 2009
We need to listen to the public about:
Their concerns about science and technology and their concomitants Risks and benefits Encroachment on human values
Their priorities among research areas Questions they would like or need us to answer
Help frame the research agenda
The Current Context for Science and Public PolicyEPA STAR Fellows, September 22, 2009
Who’s going to do all this?
The Current Context for Science and Public PolicyEPA STAR Fellows, September 22, 2009
American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Founded in 1848 World’s largest general scientific society
Spans all of science, engineering and technology Global in membership and reach 130,000 individual members 262 affiliated societies and academies of science Represents some 10 million scientists worldwide
Publisher of Science Founded in 1880 by Thomas Edison One million readers per week
The Current Context for Science and Public PolicyEPA STAR Fellows, September 22, 2009
AAAS Mission:
To advance science, engineering, and innovation throughout the world for the benefit of all people Advancing science, serving society
Adopted by the AAAS Board, August 2007
The Current Context for Science and Public PolicyEPA STAR Fellows, September 22, 2009
AAAS Strategic Goals Enhance communication among
scientists, engineers, and the public
Promote and defend the integrity of science and its use
Strengthen support for the science and technology enterprise
Provide a voice for science on societal issues
Promote the responsible use of science in public policy
Strengthen and diversify the science and technology workforce
Foster education in science and technology for everyone
Increase public engagement with science and technology
Advance international cooperation in science
Adopted by the AAAS Board, August 2007
The Current Context for Science and Public PolicyEPA STAR Fellows, September 22, 2009
AAAS Program Activities (Policy)
Policy Fellowships for Scientists and Engineers R&D Budget Analysis Science and Human Rights Scientific Freedom, Responsibility and the Law Research Competitiveness Service Center for Science, Technology and the Congress Center for Science, Technology and Security Policy Center for Science, Innovation and Sustainability
The Current Context for Science and Public PolicyEPA STAR Fellows, September 22, 2009
We are working hard at engagement with both policymakers and the public
The Current Context for Science and Public PolicyEPA STAR Fellows, September 22, 2009
AAAS Center for Public Engagement with Science and Technology Town meetings Family science days Topical public workshops Meet the scientists events Broadcast opportunities Partnerships with science museum and centers Active outreach
Clubs Residential communities Religious institutions
The Current Context for Science and Public PolicyEPA STAR Fellows, September 22, 2009
AAAS “Glocal” strategy
The Current Context for Science and Public PolicyEPA STAR Fellows, September 22, 2009
Working with local opinion leaders and resources(AAAS “Glocal” Strategy)
Local media and op-eds Clergy School officials Local government leaders/politicians Science museums and centers Community groups Town meetings
= “Intelligent design” initiative eruption
= AAAS intervention
= “Intelligent design” initiative eruption
= AAAS intervention
The Current Context for Science and Public PolicyEPA STAR Fellows, September 22, 2009
There has been some progress at the local level Dover, PA, case Ohio school board reversed requirement on curriculum criticizing
evolution Wisconsin bill to require teaching evolution Kansas’ Manhattan-Ogden School District’s refusal to adopt new
standards Failure of Utah to pass anti-evolution curriculum bill Oklahoma bill died in committee South Carolina education standards (including evolution)
affirmed Failure in Nevada to amend constitution to require teaching
“strengths and weaknesses” of evolution Failure of some “Academic Freedom” bills
Lessons for science and policy
The Current Context for Science and Public PolicyEPA STAR Fellows, September 22, 2009
Engaging with both policymakers and the public involves learned skills
We need to tell our students it’s good to do!! We need to build them into our training programs!
The Current Context for Science and Public PolicyEPA STAR Fellows, September 22, 2009
AAAS offers some training activities
Online communication training Regional training workshops for scientists and
engineers Partnership with NSF
The Current Context for Science and Public PolicyEPA STAR Fellows, September 22, 2009
Lessons for science and policy:
Things need to be made personally meaningful to people Go glocal
Never debate an ideologue Only we care about the integrity of science If people don’t like what science is showing, they do feel
free to ignore or deny it We need to teach about the enterprise of science, not just
content
The Current Context for Science and Public PolicyEPA STAR Fellows, September 22, 2009
Scientists must stick to the facts
Do not go outside your specific area of expertise Do not express your personal values Find easily understood ways to connote your
meaning No jargon, no nuances
Never violate the data
The Current Context for Science and Public PolicyEPA STAR Fellows, September 22, 2009
It’s a shame scientists are also people
The Current Context for Science and Public PolicyEPA STAR Fellows, September 22, 2009
The fact that some scientists believe something does not automatically make it scientific…..
The Current Context for Science and Public PolicyEPA STAR Fellows, September 22, 2009
Don’t let ideologues redefine science!
The Current Context for Science and Public PolicyEPA STAR Fellows, September 22, 2009
The Current Context for Science and Public PolicyEPA STAR Fellows, September 22, 2009
We Need to Equilibrium to the Science-Society Relationship
We Need You!