Public Policy Matters

A Historic Day for U.S. Science Policy
By William C. Howell, Chair, Government Relations Committee

     On April 27, an event of uncommon significance for anyone involved in research took place at 21st Street and Constitution Avenue in Washington as President Obama unveiled his science policy agenda. Speaking before representatives of the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Engineering, and the Institute of Medicine in their building, he left no doubt that his commitment to growing the support for both basic and applied research is genuine and, equally as important, that he understands why this investment is critical to the nation's future. At a meeting of behavioral and social scientists I attended in that same building the following day, copies of the speech were distributed and its implications discussed in depth, with considerable enthusiasm.

     Paying lip service to science is hardly unique for presidents and other elected officials, of course, especially when preaching to the choir - it's right up there with motherhood and apple pie. But several characteristics of this event were highly unusual, diagnostic, and, hence, noteworthy. First was the mere setting: Traveling across town to deliver his message on science's home turf rather than just inviting a few representatives over to the White House (the customary approach) is significant in that it underlines the sincerity of his words and the respect in which he holds this community. "Under my administration," he said, "the days of science taking a back seat to ideology are over," and clearly he meant it.

     Second, instead of platitudes and vaguely supportive language, this speech contained explicit goals, numbers, and targets: "an historic commitment to basic science and applied research" that, among other things will "double the budget of key agencies, including NSF...NIST...and the DOE." Elsewhere he cited NASA, NIH, and other traditional sources of research funding. In short, President Obama left little doubt that he intends to walk the walk, not just talk the usual happy talk.

     Third, he explained why he considers this dramatic increase in science funding a necessity rather than a luxury, despite our current economic woes. Indeed, he considers any sustained economic recovery, along with continued world leadership, impossible without it. This depth of understanding is rare among policy makers, particularly those residing at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. As one Academy member in the audience put it, "He actually gets it."

     Reverberations from this event, along with copies of the speech, spread quickly throughout the science community. Euphoric scientific and professional societies, along with universities and advocacy groups in which HFES participates, have been actively exploring the ramifications of this "historic" policy statement and discussing the practical implications for their respective agendas and government relations activities.

     However, some of those most closely associated with HFES have detected a possible cloud in this otherwise azure sky. Careful inspection of the speech reveals no explicit mention of the behavioral or social sciences but plenty of references to the physical and biological kind. This has led to considerable speculation on what, if anything, the omission means and what, if anything, should be done about it. For example, it appears that the Federation of Behavioral, Psychological, and Cognitive Sciences (FBPCS, of which HFES is a member) sees this omission as an educational opportunity and is encouraging a letter-writing campaign aimed at raising the president's awareness of - and appreciation for - what these omitted disciplines have to offer. The approach taken by others, including the American Psychological Association (APA) and the Consortium of Social Science Associations (COSSA, the leading social science consortium), is likely to be less direct and reflect a longer-term strategy for infusing behavioral and social science into policies, programs, and priorities of the new administration, thereby taking advantage of the president's clear commitment to and understanding of science.

     Nearly everyone, however, seems to agree that any response to the speech should have a strong positive tone and that the policy itself opens up a wide array of future advocacy opportunities in the legislative and agency arenas as well as in the administration itself. You can rest assured that HFES will continue working with other organizations to capitalize on these opportunities as they materialize.

     Anticipating policy developments based on available clues, though a Washington preoccupation, is at best an uncertain enterprise. Thanks to this president's speech, however, there's little doubt where science is headed in the foreseeable future - and all signs are pointing up.

     For additional information on President Obama's speech at the National Academy of Sciences, visit the National Academies Office of News and Public Information Web site.

William C. (Bill) Howell is retired but holds adjunct faculty appointments at Arizona State University (Polytechnic Campus) and Rice University. He serves on several national advisory boards and was HFES president in 2000-2001.

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