Science Policy and Social Change

Michael Crow

May 2003

Science is a Principal Driver of Change

SOCIAL CHANGEInternet

ENVIRONMENTALCHANGE

Climate

NATIONALSECURITYCHANGE

Weapons of Mass

Destruction

HEALTH ANDMEDICALCHANGE

Biotechnology

SCIENCE-BASED

ECONOMY

Science has the power to completely transform civilization. For some, science has made life comfortable and secure. For others, it has meant death and destruction

Science Policy is the Key Variable

We are being propelled into this new century with no plan, no control, no brakes. (Bill Joy, Co-founder and Chief Scientist, Sun Microsystems)

Given the impact of science, science policy is the key variable, yet almost entirely ignored.

Foundations of Science Policy

Republic of ScienceMarket Failure ModelUnpredictability

Current Approach to Science Policy

Addresses Conduct of S&T Products and processes of S&T

Assumes All societal outcomes will be positive Linear model of innovation and societal benefit

Inputs Processes Products Outcomes

Indications of Societal Transformation

GMO controversyAffordability of AIDS drugsLack of medical insuranceAging of the populationPublic school systemRising atmospheric CO2 levels

Perceived Quality of Life

Health Indicators

Health Attainment, 1999 Health Expenditures (Disability-adjusted life expectancy) as % of GDP

1. Japan (74.5) 7.1% 3. France (73.1) 9.8% 4. Sweden (73.0) 9.2% 12. Canada (72.0) 8.6% 14. U.K. (71.7) 5.8% 22. Germany (70.4) 10.5% 24. U.S. (70.0) 13.7% 96. Iran (60.5) 4.4%134. India (53.2) 5.2%

Health vs. Wealth

Societal Outcomes Promoted by National Science Agencies Ensure that the people, nature and environment of

Denmark and other countries are protected against pollution. (Danish Environmental Protection Agency)

Increase quality and years of health life. Eliminate health disparities. (US Dept. of HHS)

Improve the health of the European population. (EU BIOMED 2 program)

Reduce the strain on health and the environment and improve energy and resource efficiency. (Swedish Ministry of Environment)

Ensure that these (science and technology) advances work to the benefit of mankind. (Japan National Institutes of Health Sciences)

Not Control But Navigation

Because the pathway to sustainability cannot be charted in advance, it will have to be navigated through trial and error and conscious experimentation.

National Research Council, 2000

Our Common Journey

Dual Agenda: Science and Social Equity

The challenge is to develop S&T policy that reaches a significant proportion of each state’s working poor

Problems of employment and distribution of income are S&T policy issues

S&T and social issues are critically interdependent

Technology strategy drives government spending and its social outcomes

Linear thinking in technology policy is linear thinking in social outcomes

How can science and science-based technology most effectively contribute to an improved quality of life for the greatest number of people?

How does the science that we do affect the social choices we make?

How do the S&T programs we implement affect the distribution and equity of outcomes?

New Science Policy

New Science Policy aims to create knowledge, cultivate public discourse and foster policies that help society grapple with the immense power of science.

Cycle Dynamics

Conductof Science

EconomicOutcomes

S&TOutcomes

SocietalOutcomes

POLICY New industries

Tech transfer

Knowledge transfer

KnowledgeNetworks

New social structures

EducationNew skills

New institutions

Lessons from Old Science Policy

Desired outcomes can drive the scienceSocietal value of new knowledge is

determined by how it is used and by whom it is used

Societal outcomes reflect who is making science policy

Desired outcomes emerge when scientific advance is well-matched by societal needs

A New Science Policy Framework

Outcome-driveIntegratedInformedSelf-correctingRecognizes and responds to the

inextricable links between science and technology and societal evolution

Morality and Science

What is the collective good we want inquiry to promote? (Philip Kitcher, Professor of Philosophy, Columbia University)