The Globalization of the Science Enterprise International Conference on Women Leaders in Science, Technology and Engineering January 8, 2007 …and the Context

The Globalization of the Science Enterprise

International Conference on Women Leaders in Science, Technology and Engineering

January 8, 2007

…and the Context in

which It Operates

The Globalization of the Science EnterpriseInternational Conference on Women Leaders in Science, Technology and Engineering January 8, 2007

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The enterprise of science is evolving

And so is the context in which it operates


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Some baseline contextual points

Science and technology are increasingly imbedded in every aspect of modern life

Everywhere in the world

There is general agreement throughout the world that science and technology have brought great benefits to humankind

And that the benefits, overall, have outweighed the costs/risks


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The context for science is being influenced by

Trends within science itself

Public attitudes

World events and government priorities/policies

Increasingly global character of science


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On the one hand

We’re living in the best of scientific times


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Advances in science are coming at a fantastic pace

The rate of incremental advance is accelerating

New technologies are enabling quantum jumps in understanding


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Latest revolutionizing technologies

Molecular biology

Computer and information technologies

Imaging technologies


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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.


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Descartes

Mind and Body are InseparableMind and Body are Inseparable


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So, advances in science are coming at a fantastic pace

And that’s good


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On the other hand….


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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

“Publishing by press release”


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Public attitudes


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The science-society relationship is not totally smooth


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People generally still respect science and technology….


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US public’s view of scientific research

National Science Board, Science and Engineering Indicators - 2002


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But 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


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There is increasing tension in the science-society relationship

A new dimension has been added to the public’s view of and behavior toward science and technology


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Historically, science and technology have been evaluated primarily on the basis of their costs/risks and benefits


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Now, values (and politics) are being overlaid onto “simple” risk/benefit calculations


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Scientific issues that abut against values

Embryonic stem cell research

Studying “personal” topics

Sex

“Intelligent Design” versus evolution in science classrooms and science museums


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Intelligent design claims to believe in gradual change

But a supernatural being guided the process

Claims to be a scientific, alternative theory to evolution

Advocates argue “teach both theories” in science classes

Is an evolved version of “creationism”


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Creationism/“Intelligent Design” vs science education are no longer just US problems

UK

Germany

Canada

Poland

Turkey

Brazil

Kenya


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Many neuroscience issues abut against human values

The nature of the mind

Mind-body-soul concepts

The ability for anyone to look into your brain and watch your mind in action

Darkest secret thoughts


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Overlay of values is having serious consequences for the whole science-society relationship

Society wants to influence science

Rather than just the reverse

Creating tension between science and the rest of society


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We can’t just “educate” our way out of it

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

Only scientists are bound to “stick to the science”


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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


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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:


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We need to hear from 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


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Public Understanding +


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Public Education +


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Public attitudes



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Events of 9/11/2001 had a dramatic effect on the US and its international scientific relationships


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Impacts on science in and with the US

Visa issues – foreign students & visitors

Restrictive clauses in grants & contracts (export controls)

Laboratory security – “select agents”

Concerns about scientific publication

“Sensitive but unclassified” information

New US research priorities

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37Source: Council of Graduate Schools , 2006


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Post 9/11 Security Issues

New research priorities


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New research priorities

Bioterrorism

Transportation security

Cybersecurity

Safety of the food supply


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World events

Have made scientific travel much more difficult

Have altered science funding patterns and priorities


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Increasing recognition of importance of S&T to innovation and economic prosperity

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…the committee is deeply concerned that the scientific and technical building blocks of our economic leadership are eroding at a time when many other nations are gathering strength….


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Recommendations

Improve k-12 science and math education

Strengthen US commitment to long-term basic research

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American Competitiveness Initiative

Doubles funding over 10 years for physical sciences and engineering

Increased funding for teacher training and new curriculum materials

R&D tax credits for industry

Comprehensive immigration reform


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Many countries are recognizing the science-economy (jobs) imperative

US

Canada

China

India

European Union

UK

Israel

Japan

Australia

Belgium

Sweden


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The point:

Science is good for innovation;Innovation is good for the economy (and for other things too)

Invest in science!


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Public attitudes


Increasingly global character of science

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Percent international submissions and acceptances at Science, 1992-2005

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

1992 1999 2005

accepts submissions

i

52from AAU, 2006

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This all shows:

High quality science is going on all around the world

Some countries are investing very heavily

And it’s working


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The scientific enterprise is functioning in a more global way

International research teams


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Percent of US articles with international collaborations1988 vs 2001

-- NSF, S&E Indicators, 2004.

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Globalization is also occurring in industrial R&D

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Message on globalization

Science and technology are now truly global and collaborative

If you want to be a full member of the scientific community, you need to participate in the global enterprise!


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Summary thoughts

The world is changing

The societal context for science is changing

The enterprise of science itself is changing

It is ever-more global


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Documents

The Globalization of the Science Enterprise International Conference on Women Leaders in Science, Technology and Engineering January 8, 2007 …and the Context