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)