There is increasing concern that the American public’s faith in “science” has declined in recent years. Some people point to the public health experience around COVID-19; others to the divisive political climate and some parties’ disparaging comments about “settled” scientific principles; still others fault our education system.
So that’ll be the subject for October 6:
- How well does the American public understand the scientific method? Do they understand the process, strengths, and weaknesses?
- Has trust in science really deteriorated over the last decade?
- If so, what’s “driving” this?
- How can it be addressed?
- Do scientists need to change the way they communicate with the public? Or is there a significant role for intermediaries who “interpret” scientific results for “civilians?”
- Can the way we currently “operationalize” science (among scientists) be improved? What, if anything, is wrong with the current system? For example:
- Is the “peer review” process working as it should?
- Are scientists incentivized to study the “right” things from a societal perspective?
- Is there a bias in favor is searching for incremental (and less risky) findings vs. risky fundamental research?
Here’s a recent OpEd piece on (sort of) the subject, entitled “Why Young Men Are Losing Faith in Science.”
