Where Is the Public in Science’s Social Contract?
Scholars have long advocated for more public involvement in the planning and execution of scientific research. However, as Melissa Flagg writes in her recent Issues article, science’s social contract has largely treated the public as passive funders and recipients of scientific gains. And as industry has dwarfed the government in research spending, the public’s influence has fallen further. In the aftermath of the second Trump administration’s dramatic changes to science policy, funding, and workforce, decisionmakers across the scientific enterprise are considering how to rebuild the social contract to include the public. This conversation will discuss the history of public involvement, examples of successful strategies, and visions for incorporating public priorities and values to build both stronger science and a stronger society.
Panelists
- Melissa Flagg, Andrew M. Marshall Foundation
- Jenny Reardon, University of California, Santa Cruz
- Jeffrey Warren, North Carolina Collaboratory
- Mahmud Farooque, Consortium for Science, Policy & Outcomes
- Dan Vergano (moderator), AIP’s FYI Science Policy