In the face of so many daunting near-term challenges, U.S. government and industry are letting the crucial strategic issues of U.S. competitiveness slip below the surface. Five years ago, the National Academies prepared "Rising Above the Gathering Storm," a book that cautioned: "Without a renewed effort to bolster the foundations of…

American universities today serve as economic engines, performing the scientific research that will create new industries, drive economic growth, and keep the United States globally competitive. But only a few decades ago, these same universities self-consciously held themselves apart from the world of commerce. "Creating the Market University" is…

A series of public meetings designed to focus on complex and persistent problems of national importance involving science has been launched. Topics such as drugs, energy, and natural disasters are included. (DF)

Individual scientists and their professional societies are becoming increasingly involved in public debates over the impact and regulation of technologies. Developments in this area are surveyed and some of the implications are discussed. (DT)

The Committee on Science and Technology of the National Academy of Sciences recommends that a Council for Science and Technology be established as a staff agency in the Executive Office of the President. The Council would consist of at least three full-time members drawn from the sciences, engineering, and related fields. They would be appointed…

Reported is the debate which persists between the government and scientific community over whether Canada has a policy in place. Notes the government is focusing more attention on research and technology and has taken some key steps to develop this area. (MVL)

A national disenchantment with knowledge, which sets up a contest between reason and mindlessness, and a strong tilt in the direction of conservative fiscal policy are cited as cause for those seeking support for science to take the initiative and negotiate a workable policy future. (JT)

In the People's Republic of China, science and technology policy is directed by the state and is an all encompassing managerial system through which courses of action are determined. The Chinese Academy of Sciences (Academia Sinica), a national comprehensive research center was established in 1949 to train qualified scientists and technicians. The…

Provided in these hearings on science in the political process are the testimony and prepared statements of: Thomas L. Haskell; Robert L. Sproull; John R. Silber; Robert M. Rosenzweig; and Daniel J. Kevles. Also included are questions asked of these individuals as well as their answers, and, when applicable, supporting documentation. Among the…

This report is the sixteenth in the series of Reviews of National Science Policy by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. It has two purposes: first, to enable the countries concerned to appraise the political, economic, and structural aspects of the action taken to reinforce the role of scientific and technical research in…

The public's perception of science and technology and of the National Science Foundation (NSF) is addressed and discussed in this report in terms of the social contract that exists between the scientific community and the public. A social contract is defined as the set of mutual expectations and obligations of the public, government, and science.…

A discussion of scientific fraud and research misconduct looks at the federal mandate for more effective control by institutions and sponsoring agencies, the response of higher education associations, and issues awaiting consensus development, including anonymous reports, protection of the "whistle-blower," legal representation, and the…

Scientists may be fairly accused of lack of awareness of the needs of society, and they may therefore be unresponsive to these needs. Scientists must involve the public in issues underlying scientific controversy. Scientists must recognize the role of their own values in their pursuit of science. (RE)

The conference in which these papers and perspectives were presented addressed Canadian federal-provincial fiscal issues and relationships. An introduction provides some background on the present funding situation. A sample of papers includes: "Federal Funding of University Education" (Paul Davenport); "A Troubled Future? University…

Commentary on a National Commission on Student Financial Assistance report examines: federal role in graduate education, reauthorizing the Higher Education Act of 1965, restoring university research in science and technology, redefining graduate education, transition to an information society, excellence and the graduate student. (MLW)