Grand Visions for the Future of U.S. Science in a New Global Era
Where do we want to see science in the United States in 2025, and in 2050? The U.S. was a strong global leader in science and technology, innovation and entrepreneurship, for most of the previous century. However, the pace of scientific progress and innovation in the 21st century is increasing across the world and the economic playing field is leveling. We have entered a new global era, where nations of the world are highly interconnected and interdependent. At this critical juncture, the U.S. is falling behind other regions in its investments in science and has either given up or risked its global leadership in several frontier science areas. Federal policies and actions taken over the next decade will determine the trajectory of U.S. science and its scientific leadership for decades to come. This panel session will explore the strategic planning needed to bolster U.S. science as well as opportunities for the U.S. to lead global partnerships in scientific and technological pursuits to address humanity’s great challenges. The session will start with remarks by the President’s Science Advisor, Dr. John Holdren, on “U.S. Science in a New Global Era: A View from the White House”, followed by remarks from the Director of the National Science Foundation Dr. France Córdova, NASA Administrator Charles Bolden, and the Undersecretary for Science and Energy Dr. Lynn Orr.