National Science Board (NSB)

The National Science Board just published its biannual, congressionally mandated report The State of U.S. Science and Engineering 2024. We are discussing the findings and implications during a livestreamed briefing at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. LINK: https://lnkd.in/eq_vx9bW The report shows that shows that although the U.S. performs more research and development than any other country, the nation’s global position is slipping, as countries in East and Southeast Asia, particularly China, increase their activities. https://lnkd.in/eRS492R3 “The Indicators report confirms that our nation’s science and engineering enterprise increasingly hinges on foreign-born STEM talent and is limited by flat federal R&D investment, all at a time when global innovation continues to accelerate,” said Daniel Reed, Chair of the National Science Board. The U.S. no longer predominates across all elements of science, technology, and innovation. Instead, the nation is distinguished by the strength of its universities as destinations for international students and its highly cited and collaborative research. The COVID-19 pandemic negatively impacted mathematics scores for American elementary and secondary students, especially those who were already scoring in the 10th percentile and those identifying as American Indian or Alaska Native. Improving the STEM education trajectories for over 54 million primary and secondary school students is essential to sustainably addressing our STEM talent crisis in the long-term. The report also shows we still have a way to go to fully incorporate the “Missing Millions,” or people from historically underrepresented backgrounds, into the STEM higher ed and workforce populations. “It is time to act, with vision and commitment, by expanding our domestic STEM worker pool, investing in critical science and technology areas, and building the necessary research and development infrastructure to ensure our continued national security and economic independence. The job is not done, and we neglect it at our peril,” Reed said.

Given the rapidly evolving landscape, the Board has been hard at work and engaging daily with NSF leadership. ? Tomorrow, Feb 11, we will continue our work when we convene for a closed hybrid meeting.? ? https://lnkd.in/eQtMwB9f

NSB meeting coming soon! Save the date!

In an interview with Issues in Science and Technology, NSB Chair and IBM Sr VP @dariogila, talks about the growing geopolitical influence of science and technology, the changed U.S. S&T landscape, and his ideas for reimagining the research enterprise. “We need greater care and consideration of how to work across institutions and sectors to accomplish truly ambitious things.” – Darío Gil https://lnkd.in/eXW4cbWa

Congratulations to the most recent National Medal of Science recipients including our Board colleague, @VanderbiltU’s Keivan Stassun, and former Board member @Princeton’s?Bonnie Bassler – much deserved! https://lnkd.in/ewhj9Fc9

His House Science, Space, and Technology Committee colleagues and the science and engineering community recently celebrated the impacts of @housescience Chairman @RepFrankLucas “Chairman Lucas’ leadership exemplifies the power of collaboration to advance science and innovation for the benefit of all,” said NSB Vice Chair Victor McCrary https://lnkd.in/guuURqH5

“Today, more than at any time since World War II, the United States is being challenged scientifically on the global stage.” In a Science editorial, former @usairforce Secretary @UTEP President @NSF Board member @HeatherAnWilson warns of the risks of ceding leadership in science and technology and lays out a path forward: monitoring global innovation to avoid tech surprises, legislation to educate and train a US workforce that can thrive in fast-paced fields across the sciences, and a national science strategy to inspire the next generation. https://lnkd.in/ePWPYZqW

“What got America to this point will not get the country to where it needs to go. A new vision is required to respond to an evolving global science and technology ecosystem.”?So say NSB Chair and IBM Sr VP Darío Gil, AAAS CEO Sudip Parikh, and NAS President Marcia McNutt, in a recent Science editorial. https://lnkd.in/gjMH_R9Q

Earlier this week we co-hosted a reception, New Currency of Power: The Future of U.S. Science and Technology with @SciTechAction. NSB Chair @dariogila, @DrPanch, @MaryWoolleyRA, and @sudipsparikh offered their perspectives, along with @RepBillFoster + @SenCantwell.

During our meeting earlier this week, our newest members were sworn in. Welcome: Joan Ferrini-Mundy, Yolanda Gil, Juan Gilbert, Jeffrey Isaacson, Willie May, Alondra Nelson, Sarah O’Donnell, and Ryan Panchadsaram.