National Academy convenes 'State of the Science' panel

How U.S. science and innovation are positioned to respond to rising global competition and shifting priorities for the nation’s economy, security, public health and well-being will be discussed at the first State of the Science address on June 26 in Washington, D.C.

The State of the Science address will be followed by a panel discussion of seven eminent leaders from across academia, including J. Marshall Shepherd, associate dean for research, scholarship, and partnerships in the Franklin College:

The State of the Science event is designed to bring together leaders in science and research, technology and innovation, policymaking, government, industry and philanthropy to explore what actions may be needed to chart a course toward a more nimble, more robust U.S. science and technology enterprise that is ready to meet the nation’s current challenges and make vital advances in the future.

Issues to be discussed include:

• U.S. global competitiveness in science and technology.
• Alignment of U.S. research efforts with critical national priorities as public and private R&D funding shifts.
• Science, Technology, Engineering, Math, and Medicine (STEMM) education to adequately prepare the next generation of leaders.
• Public trust in science in an era of misinformation and disinformation.

“As climate, economic and health issues converge, sound science will be required to inform policymakers and other stakeholders,” said Shepherd, Georgia Athletic Association Distinguished Professor of Atmospheric Sciences and Geography elected to the National Academy of Sciences in 2021. “The National Academies have long been an authoritative voice on these matters so I look forward to discussions on how best we can deploy our broad scientific expertise in service of our country and the planet.”

Image: J. Marshall Shepherd (Photo by Andrew Davis Tucker/UGA)