NASEM Hosts Second Annual State of the Science Address

On June 3, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) hosted the State of the Science Address, an annual discussion on the status of science, technology, engineering, and medicine (STEM) in the U.S. (see previous COSSA coverage). During her opening remarks, President of the National Academy of Sciences, Marcia McNutt, discussed the decline of the STEM workforce and interest in research and development (R&D) in the U.S., comparing the U.S. to global competitors, such as China. She briefly discussed the significant budget cuts and grant cancellations proposed by the Trump Administration, and the detrimental impacts they would have on the U.S. scientific research enterprise. To this end, McNutt stated, “America can’t be great without great science.”

McNutt framed her presentation using Rising Above the Gathering Storm, a 2007 NASEM report that analyzed the U.S. scientific research enterprise and hypothesized what the U.S. would look like without sufficient investment in science. She highlighted the various reasons outlined in the report for a decline in U.S. global scientific leadership in a “Pessimistic Case,” including increased opportunities abroad, a lack of business incentives, and excessive regulations, and warned that the U.S. is on the verge of realizing this hypothesis. Further, McNutt spoke to the Trump Administration’s efforts to reduce waste, fraud, and abuse, raising concerns that they will “undermine attempts to reduce regulatory burden” for scientific researchers.

Finally, McNutt offered potential solutions to address the decline in science, calling for the U.S. to: build on a culture of innovation; create a national research strategy; improve science education; foster international collaboration; and cut red tape. A recording of the address can be found here as well as meeting materials, including the State of the Science Program.