Moving Forward in Science Policy

On August 13th, Dr. Nina Fedoroff, of Pennsylvania State University, was sworn in as the newest Science and Technology Adviser to the Secretary of State (Ms. Condoleezza Rice). While in this position, Dr. Fedoroff will have a key influence on the future of American science policy and international scientific cooperation–

“The position of Science and Technology Adviser to the Secretary (STAS) was created in 2000, to serve as the Department’s chief scientist and principal liaison with the national and international scientific and engineering communities. Dr. Fedoroff is the third person to hold this position. The Adviser is responsible for enhancing the science and technology literacy and capacity at the State Department, increasing the number of scientists and engineers working in Washington and missions abroad, strengthening and building bridges to the scientific and engineering communities, and providing advice on current and emerging science and technology issues as they impact foreign policy.” (excerpted from the U.S. Department of State’s website)

Dr. Fedoroff has been a favorite researcher of mine for quite some time because of her work with genetics and molecular biology and her studies on the societal impacts of genetically modified crops. She brings to the position an impressive body of knowledge and a well-respected plethora of experience, which includes memberships to the National Science Board and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. She also served as founding Director of the Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences at Penn State and is a National Medal of Science laureate.

I look forward to hearing the dialogue her office will bring to the public policy round table.

The Tree of Knowledge…the Money Tree, that is.

I looked at the front page of the local newspaper on Sunday, and the headline read “Students Burdened By Debt”. This article comes at a time when university tuition rates have increased again (up 4% from the previous school year for a total of 55% since 2003), and federal aid for students has remained low. To add another shoe to the backs of some, the state, to compensate for some of its losses, has also announced policy changes that will shift chunks of money traditionally given to graduate research programs over to undergraduate students. This will seriously affect the quality of research at the university level, not to mention the incentive for many students to continue study beyond the undergraduate level. Often, the most important factor in a student’s choice of graduate school is the level of funding offered.

I find patronizing the rhetoric that comes from analysts and policy makers, who say that, in an international comparison, our country is sliding down the academic ladder; that our students don’t try hard enough; and that they are less educated and less equipped to succeed professionally as a result. My response to their accusations is this: show us, the students, where your priorities lie! Yes, I believe that education is a value best taken to its fullest potential, but when will those with the means to accelerate the learning process in this country stop making excuses, stop witholding their resources, and start putting their money (or their policies, or their curricula) where their mouths are? We live in a country where the “dream” has turned into the belief that every person is an island unto themselves. In light of this, how can it be fair to judge students as a collective body, when there is a poor collective effort on our behalf? Quite the opposite is what we see. Higher education is once again becoming a luxury that fewer can afford and fewer are content with having chosen to pursue. Who will step up and say enough is enough?