August 30, 2021
Washington, DC (August 30, 2021) – With support from The Kavli Foundation, the Journal of Science Policy & Governance (JSPG) and the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) are proud to release the Special Issue on Shaping the Future of Science Policy
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The issue builds on and from Vannevar Bush’s 1945 signature text Science, The Endless Frontier, which called for a centralized approach to government-sponsored science. Recommendations from the report led to the creation of the National Science Foundation, the development of the American research university, and generated fundamental policy frameworks underlying the basic research enterprise in the U.S.
“For over 75 years, U.S. science policy has been guided by Vannevar Bush’s seminal report Science the Endless Frontier,” saidTobin Smith, JSPG Governing Board Member and Vice President for Science Policy and Global Affairs at the Association of American Universities. “This special issue of JSPG will help elevate the voices of early career researchers and professionals with an interest in science policy as they share their hopes and dreams for what U.S. science policy should look like for the next 75 years.”
“As a cornerstone of American science policy, The Endless Frontier laid the groundwork for much of where the industry is today. But while this text was innovative in 1945, today our society is facing novel challenges that will require creative policy solutions designed by the next generation to address problems that were unanticipated during Vannevar Bush’s time,” said JSPG CEO Adriana Bankston
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Additionally, through apolicy position paper competition, winning articles were selected by experts at the science, policy and society interface, and winners received cash prizes. The winning articles include:
"With persuasive narrative and actionable recommendations, our authors crafted a new vision for the future of science policy – one that is both expansive and inclusive,” said Andy Sanchez, JSPG’s Junior Assistant Editor-in-Chief for Special Editions. “They interrogated how we support scientists, how scientists engage with the public, and how we can ensure equitable access to the benefits of scientific progress. This issue honors the legacy of The Endless Frontier and paints an exciting path forward for science policy."
To facilitate high level, expert dialogues on policy issues in The Endless Frontier and other relevant topics today, earlier this year JSPG and AAAS hosted aseries of webinars sponsored by The Kavli Foundation. These webinars generated novel ideas for redesigning the framework under which science policy operates today and re-imagining the future of the field for the next 75 years.
“Imagining the next 75 years of science policy in the U.S., and the necessary infrastructures needed to be successful, requires inviting and listening to multiple perspectives,” said Brooke Smith, Director of Public Engagement with Science at The Kavli Foundation. “It is inspiring to read the many contributions in this special issue, from individuals who are early in their careers and so passionately focused on making a difference today and for decades to come.”