Policy Position Paper: Undoing the Double-Cross: Promoting Public Accountability in American Science Agencies
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Patrick Buckley*, Kristen Ramsey*
Yale University, Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, New Haven, CT *Authors contributed equally Corresponding author: [email protected] |
Keywords: Science, The Endless Frontier; Vannevar Bush; Harley Kilgore; public accountability; citizen input; National Science Board; National Science Foundation
Executive Summary: The leadership and advisory boards of American science agencies are largely organized according to the ideas set forth by an influential scientist, Dr. Vannevar Bush, after World War II. Although American science agencies are publicly funded, only experts control what research is funded and how each agency operates. Wielding his unique position of power after the war, Dr. Vannevar Bush suppressed the ideas of his adversary, Senator Harley Kilgore, resulting in the absence of public accountability and citizen input that defines American science agencies today. We argue that citizens must have a seat at the table in the leadership of science agencies to promote trust in science, reduce inequity, increase efficiency, embrace democratic principles, and address the needs of the American people. By providing a mechanism for non-expert citizens to influence the direction of American science agencies, Congress can now finally rectify the double-cross of Senator Harley Kilgore by Dr. Vannevar Bush.
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Patrick Buckley is currently a student in the DiMaio Laboratory at Yale University where he is pursuing a Ph.D. in microbiology. In his research, Patrick uses biochemical and cellular assays to study the activity of the papillomavirus cell-penetrating peptide sequence to understand its importance in infection and its potential as a research tool and therapeutic delivery device. He is a recipient of the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship and serves as a submissions editor for the Yale Journal of Health Policy, Law, and Ethics. Previously, Patrick graduated from SUNY Geneseo in Western New York with a B.S. in biochemistry.
Kristen Ramsey is currently a student in the Kazmierczak Laboratory at Yale University where she is pursuing a Ph.D. in microbiology. Kristen uses microscopy and genetic techniques in her research on Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria to determine the factors that contribute to phenotypic differences within genetically identical populations. At Yale, Kristen is the secretary for the Yale Student Science Diplomats science policy advocacy group and a mentor for those underrepresented in STEM with the Yale Biological and Biomedical Sciences Diversity and Inclusion Collective. Previously, Kristen graduated from the University of Maryland with a B.S. in general biology.
Acknowledgements
We would like to thank Dana Hayward and Adam Fofana for their helpful comments on this article.
Kristen Ramsey is currently a student in the Kazmierczak Laboratory at Yale University where she is pursuing a Ph.D. in microbiology. Kristen uses microscopy and genetic techniques in her research on Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria to determine the factors that contribute to phenotypic differences within genetically identical populations. At Yale, Kristen is the secretary for the Yale Student Science Diplomats science policy advocacy group and a mentor for those underrepresented in STEM with the Yale Biological and Biomedical Sciences Diversity and Inclusion Collective. Previously, Kristen graduated from the University of Maryland with a B.S. in general biology.
Acknowledgements
We would like to thank Dana Hayward and Adam Fofana for their helpful comments on this article.
DISCLAIMER: The findings and conclusions published herein are solely attributed to the author and not necessarily endorsed or adopted by the Journal of Science Policy and Governance. Articles are distributed in compliance with copyright and trademark agreements.
ISSN 2372-2193
ISSN 2372-2193
