Americans support science, regardless of their political affiliations. They believe in investing tax dollars in research and technology. They want to bolster STEM education. But most of them can’t name a living scientist when asked.
Clearly, there is work to do.
Advocacy is central to moving the needle in research science and technology in the United States, and it is a driving force behind the mission of Research!America. “Advocacy is critical to change in leadership, to excitement, to opening the doors for science and technology,” said Mary Woolley, President and CEO of Research!America, “There needs to be every chance to thrive and not be held down by an inability to find funding or the inability to work within a network of rules and regulations that are holding people back, stifling entrepreneurship and so forth. The sweet spot is the nexus of science, policy and politics.”
Woolley recently spoke with Cure about research and technology in this the U.S. and the role of women in its future. Among the many successes in her current role — including doubling the National Institutes of Health budget in just five years — she advocated for more women and diversity on the board of Research!America. She also commissioned public opinion surveys, which for three decades have shed significant light on what Americans think about science and what they are willing to invest to move it forward.
“Since the World War II, other nations have taken pages from our playbook that gave us our success. Now it’s time to step it up,” she said. “We shouldn't be in catch-up mode all the time. We should be out in front and able to compete on a level playing field.”
Americans Speak
The tremendous and sometimes surprising insights from the Research!America’s public opinion surveys how Americans feel about science and technology include:
80 percent feel the United States should increase investment in global health research and development.
80 percent believe in improving science education from kindergarten onward.
80 percent know that science and technology creates jobs.
Most Americans want more tax dollars spent on science and technology and report that they would pay more in taxes themselves for that to happen. There's also strong bipartisan support for incentivizing the private sector.
However, when asked to name a living scientist, three out of four of them could not.
“And when they tried, they often named one: Stephen Hawking,” said Woolley. “He's been on the list for a long time, but he's been dead quite a while.” Those who could name a living scientist often selected Dr. Anthony Fauci, showing how much influence the news has on Americans’ knowledge.
Female scientists were even less known. “There's only one woman on the list, Jane Goodall, and she's quite far down,” added Woolley. “That's striking, isn't it? It's not because there aren't a lot of spectacular women scientists, but because they are not in the public eye.”
Only 40 percent of people who responded to the surveys could name a place where science was conducted. “That is not a hard question,” asserted Woolley. “We are too invisible, and Research!America is working to change that.”
How to Promote American Research and Technology
Woolley advocated for a number of steps to fortify the role of the United States in the global science and technology enterprise.
Make women scientists more visible.
There are increasingly more women in leadership positions, such as the U.S. Department of Energy, as well as in the field of science. Many of them are honored during Women's History Month, but they need to be recognized at all times of year and with greater visibility. Two of the leaders in the development of the COVID-19 vaccine, for example, are women.
Earn the public’s trust.
Trust is critical and must be earned. “It is based on relationships, hearts and minds. It's not just information, facts and figures,” said Woolley. “If you're a scientist and someone asks, ‘What do you do?’ tell them, ‘I work for you.’”
Support basic science research.
“If we stop doing fundamental research at the maximum rate that we can possibly accomplish, then downstream, we will make a lot of sacrifices,” she explained. Some research projects that were supported by taxpayer funds that appeared to be a waste of money turned out to be lifesavers.
Everyone — but especially scientists — should reach out to their elected members of Congress.
“If your congressional representative or senator knows that one of their constituents cares about an issue, works in the field and is watching them to see what they will do to recognize the importance of science and technology, they will listen,” she noted.
Increase the number of scientists in politics and government.
“Members of Congress who are on science committees or want to be better versed in science have access to a vast array of people in the scientific community who are willing to help,” said Woolley. Even running for a local school board could be beneficial. A scientist on every school board could have enormous benefits for science education.
Scientists should get involved in schools.
“Make time to ensure that young people have every chance to succeed by being a role model for kids in the K-12 school system,” Woolley contended. “Make sure that kids who may not have ever seen a scientist have that opportunity because you were there for them.”