Research Library

Senior fellow Neal Lane remembers colleague Robert F. Curl.

In a joint letter, a group of scientists calls on U.S. policymakers and the nation's scientific communities to avoid shunning Russian scientists and academics for the actions of Russia's government in light of the invasion of Ukraine.

U.S. investment in scientific research has stagnated over the last four decades. Neal F. Lane, senior fellow in science and technology policy at the Baker Institute, and Norm Augustine, former chairman and CEO of Lockheed Martin, penned a letter to congressional leadership outlining the challenges facing American research and development (R&D) and the potential impacts of declining federal science funding.

As his term progresses, President Trump will be faced with a large number of policy challenges, some of them requiring immediate science & technology expertise. In this Science Magazine article, the authors urge the president to consider the Office of Science & Technology Policy, the science advisor and the presidential S&T councils as vital resources that should be used early in the term to drive his policy agenda.

Science, technology, and innovation are vital to America’s economy and workforce, and the competitiveness of U.S. industry. The authors offer five recommendations to ensure the establishment of an effective White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.

The director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) plays a central role in advising the president on the impact of science and technology on domestic and global affairs, and on federal funding of scientific research. This paper provides recommendations for the next president to consider when choosing a science advisor and establishing science and technology policy priorities. The project also offers guidance to the next science advisor for developing effective policy while serving in the White House. The recommendations are based on lessons learned from past presidential science advisors as well as feedback from more than 60 reviewers, including individuals who currently serve or have served the OSTP, the President’s Council of Advisors for Science and Technology, federal agencies, Congress or congressional staff, and nongovernmental organizations as well as policy scholars.

Neal Lane, senior fellow for science and technology policy, remembers his friend and former White House colleague Jack Gibbons, who died in July at age 86.