Science & Society
Scientific research and innovation are principally responsible for decades of economic growth, medical advances, and enhanced national security. Yet, society has failed to elevate these contributions through education, communication, and access in order to build public appreciation for science:
Scientific expertise is being challenged, and consensus on topics from climate change to vaccine safety is no longer assumed to be valid.
Political leaders are increasingly willing to distort research findings, target scientists for ideological reasons, and compromise scientific integrity in favor of special interests.
Institutional leadership has failed to support diversity in the STEM workforce and emphasize mastery of 21st-century STEM skills within underserved communities, limiting the available talent pool.