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Science and Society . Canada Foundation for Innovation October 24, 2006. Why do we have science anyway?. To improve the human condition To provide natural explanations of the nature and workings of the natural world Whether we like the answers or not!.
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Science and Society
Canada Foundation for Innovation – October 24, 2006
Why do we have science anyway?- To improve the human condition
- To provide natural explanations of the nature and workings of the natural world
- Whether we like the answers or not!
Science and Society
Canada Foundation for Innovation – October 24, 2006
Science is limited to human cognition of the objective world….Lu Yonxiang, President, Chinese Academy of Science, 2005Science and Society
Canada Foundation for Innovation – October 24, 2006
Baseline assertion:Science and technology are ever-more imbedded in every aspect of modern life!
Science and Society
Canada Foundation for Innovation – October 24, 2006
Corollaries:- For people to prosper in modern society, they need fundamental understanding and comfort with S&T
- For science to prosper and be maximally productive, the science-society relationship must be both positive and strong
Science and Society
Canada Foundation for Innovation – October 24, 2006
We have a problem- The science-society relationship is experiencing substantial tension
- Is at risk of significant erosion
Science and Society
Canada Foundation for Innovation – October 24, 2006
As Charles Dickens would say…..- We’re living in the best of times
- And the worst of times
Science and Society
Canada Foundation for Innovation – October 24, 2006
On the one handWe’re living in the best of scientific times
Science and Society
Canada Foundation for Innovation – October 24, 2006
Advances in science are coming at a fantastic pace- The rate of incremental advance is accelerating
- New technologies are enabling quantum jumps in understanding
Science and Society
Canada Foundation for Innovation – October 24, 2006
Functional MRI of a “normal” subject writing a talk
Anterior
Right
Ventral
R
L
Broca’s area
posterior
Left
Parietal Cortex
L
SMA
R
Broca’s area
Dorsal
L. Chang, M.D., T. Ernst, Ph.D., O. Speck, Ph.D.
Harbor-UCLA Medical Center
Generating words (left brain dominant)
Chang, et al.
Science and Society
Canada Foundation for Innovation – October 24, 2006
Mind and Body are Inseparable
Science and Society
Canada Foundation for Innovation – October 24, 2006
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”
Science and Society
Canada Foundation for Innovation – October 24, 2006
These are factors internal to science…Science and Society
Canada Foundation for Innovation – October 24, 2006
The context for science and society is also influenced by external factors….- Government regulations, priorities and funding
Science and Society
Canada Foundation for Innovation – October 24, 2006
Events of 9/11/2001 dramatically affected science- Travel restrictions
- New research priorities
- Bioterrorism
- Cybersecurity
- Transportation safety
- Food safety
Science and Society
Canada Foundation for Innovation – October 24, 2006
Much is now being influenced by a resurgence of the “SCIENCE-INNOVATION-ECONOMIC COMPETITIVENESS” factorScience and Society
Canada Foundation for Innovation – October 24, 2006
American Competitiveness Initiative- Doubles funding over 10 years for physical sciences and engineering at NSF, DOE, NIST
- Strengthens K-12 math and science education through teacher training and new curriculum materials
- Makes R&D tax credit for industry permanent
US
Canada
China
India
European Union
Israel
Japan
Australia
Belgium
Sweden
Science and Society
Canada Foundation for Innovation – October 24, 2006
Many countries are recognizing the science-economy (jobs) imperativeScience and Society
Canada Foundation for Innovation – October 24, 2006
The Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) is the epitome of a country recognizing this science-economy relationship!Science and Society
Canada Foundation for Innovation – October 24, 2006
The science-innovation-economic factor emphasizes that all people need familiarity and comfort with science and technologyScience and Society
Canada Foundation for Innovation – October 24, 2006
Something else is going on in how people relate to science and technology- There’s increased tension in the relationship
Science and Society
Canada Foundation for Innovation – October 24, 2006
People generally still respect science and technology….Science and Society
Canada Foundation for Innovation – October 24, 2006
US public’s view of scientific researchNational Science Board, Science and Engineering Indicators - 2002
Science and Society
Canada Foundation for Innovation – October 24, 2006
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
Science and Society
Canada Foundation for Innovation – October 24, 2006
What do Europeans consider as scientific?- Medicine – 89%
- Physics – 83%
- Astronomy – 70%
- History – 34%
- Astrology – 41%
- Homeopathy – 33%
Source: Eurobarometer, 2005
Science and Society
Canada Foundation for Innovation – October 24, 2006
People need to know about science as an enterprise- What makes something scientific?
- The limits of scientific investigation
- Natural explanations of the natural world
Science and Society
Canada Foundation for Innovation – October 24, 2006
There is increasing tension in the science-society relationship, in part because- A new dimension has been added to the public’s view of and behavior toward science and technology
Science and Society
Canada Foundation for Innovation – October 24, 2006
Historically, science and technology have been evaluated primarily on the basis of their costs/risks and benefitsScience and Society
Canada Foundation for Innovation – October 24, 2006
Now, values (and politics) are being overlaid onto “simple” risk/benefit calculationsScience and Society
Canada Foundation for Innovation – October 24, 2006
Scientific issues that abut against values- Embryonic stem cell research
- Studying “personal” topics
- Sex
- “Intelligent Design” versus evolution in science classrooms and science museums
Science and Society
Canada Foundation for Innovation – October 24, 2006
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
Science and Society
Canada Foundation for Innovation – October 24, 2006
The latest attempt to bring religion into the science classroom
Science and Society
Canada Foundation for Innovation – October 24, 2006
Many neuroscience issues abut against human values- The nature of the mind
- Mind-body-soul concepts
- Free will vs. determinism
- The ability for anyone to look into your brain and watch your mind in action
- Darkest secret thoughts
- How to relate to brain disordered individuals
- Personal responsibility for your brain diseased behavior
Science and Society
Canada Foundation for Innovation – October 24, 2006
Overlay of values is having serious consequences for the whole science-society relationship- Society wants to influence science
- Rather than just the reverse
- Creating a divide between science and the rest of society
Science and Society
Canada Foundation for Innovation – October 24, 2006
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”
Science and Society
Canada Foundation for Innovation – October 24, 2006
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
Science and Society
Canada Foundation for Innovation – October 24, 2006
We need to change not only the style and content but also the intent of the conversation:
Communicating Communicating to the public with the publicScience and Society
Canada Foundation for Innovation – October 24, 2006
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
Science and Society
Canada Foundation for Innovation – October 24, 2006
The engagement movement is gathering substantial momentum- United Kingdom
- European Union as a whole
- Canada
Science and Society
Canada Foundation for Innovation – October 24, 2006
Fundamentals of effective engagement of the public with S&T:- Build relationships with stakeholders, striving to foster mutual confidence and respect.
- Be inclusive of diverse perspectives, sectors and cultures.
- Practice “active listening”
- Build communication around issues informed by S&T, rather than specifics of the S&T itself.
- Practice openness
- Put information, ideas and debate in the public realm
Science Communications and Opportunities for Public Engagement, Canadian Council of Science and Technology Advisors, 2003
Science and Society
Canada Foundation for Innovation – October 24, 2006
One can’t deal with- Evangelical fundamentalists
- Evangelical atheists
- Militant agnostics
Science and Society
Canada Foundation for Innovation – October 24, 2006
One can work with- Undecideds
- Rational middle
Science and Society
Canada Foundation for Innovation – October 24, 2006
AAAS Public Engagement Programs- Dialogue on Science, Ethics and Religion (DoSER)
- Center for Public Engagement with Science and Technology
Science and Society
Canada Foundation for Innovation – October 24, 2006
AAAS Center for Public Engagement with Science and Technology- Town meetings
- Family science days
- Topical public workshops
- Meet the scientists events
- Broadcast opportunities
- Partnerships with science museum and centers
- Active outreach
- Clubs
- Residential communities
- Religious institutions
Science and Society
Canada Foundation for Innovation – October 24, 2006
Working with local opinion leaders and resources- Local media and op-eds
- Clergy
- School officials
- Local government leaders/politicians
- Science museums and centers
- Community groups
= “Intelligent design” initiative eruption
= AAAS intervention
Science and Society
Canada Foundation for Innovation – October 24, 2006
As we enter this difficult era for science and society
Donald Kennedy, Science, April 8, 2005
Science and Society
Canada Foundation for Innovation – October 24, 2006
We Need to Restore Equilibrium to the Science-Society RelationshipScience and Society
Canada Foundation for Innovation – October 24, 2006
