International Large-Scale Science
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Bold Ambition International Large-Scale Science A REPORT FROM THE CHALLENGES FOR INTERNATIONAL SCIENTIFIC PARTNERSHIPS INITIATIVE To me, science is an expression of the human spirit, which reaches every sphere of human culture. It gives an aim and meaning to existence as well as a knowledge, understanding, love, and admiration for the world. It gives a deeper meaning to morality and another dimension to esthetics. — Isidor Isaac Rabi, Physicist and U.S. Delegate to UNESCO A REPORT FROM THE CHALLENGES FOR INTERNATIONAL SCIENTIFIC PARTNERSHIPS INITIATIVE Bold Ambition International Large-Scale Science american academy of arts & sciences Cambridge, Massachusetts © 2021 by the American Academy of Arts & Sciences All rights reserved. ISBN: 0-87724-142-2 This publication is available online at www.amacad.org/project/CISP. Suggested citation: American Academy of Arts and Sciences, Bold Ambition: International Large-Scale Science (Cambridge, Mass.: American Academy of Arts and Sciences, 2021). COVER PHOTO CREDIT Image by iStock.com/-Dant-. The views expressed in this report are those held by the contributors and are not necessarily those of the Officers and Members of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Comments on the data and conclusions presented herein may be directed to the following project staff: Amanda Vernon, [email protected]; Rebecca Tiernan, [email protected]. Please direct inquiries to: American Academy of Arts and Sciences 136 Irving Street Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138-1996 Telephone: (617) 576-5000 Facsimile: (617) 576-5050 Email: [email protected] Visit our website at www.amacad.org Contents From the President of the American Academy v Project Takeaways vii Prologue viii Executive Summary ix Introduction 1 Imperatives for International Large-Scale Science 2 Structures of International Large-Scale Science Partnerships 11 The Future of Large-Scale Science 18 Special Section COVID-19 and International Large-Scale Science 22 Principles for International Large-Scale Science 26 Prioritize Scientific Excellence and Impact 26 Develop Well-Defined Project Scope and Effective Management 27 Meet Commitments 28 Establish Ethical Standards for the Conduct of Research 32 Conclusion 38 Appendix A: U.S. Government Leadership in International Large-Scale Science 39 Appendix B: Steering Committee and Working Group Members 47 Endnotes 50 From the President of the American Academy ome research questions are simply too large to be addressed by one nation’s scientists or facilities alone. How can we rapidly identify and mitigate the Sspread of emerging infectious diseases, which can arise in all regions of the world? Can we harness fusion to produce a carbon-free source of energy at a large scale as climate change threatens the health and well-being of the planet, including its people? What are the physical principles that underlie matter itself? Science powers economies, discovers cures and therapies, unlocks the mysteries of the universe, and, at its best, has the potential to build a more prosperous and peaceful future for the planet and generations to come. As the United States reengages with the global community under a new presidential administration, a commitment to large-scale scientific ventures is necessary, time- ly, and an imperative for a United States that wishes to perform cutting-edge experiments with world-class collaborators. Beyond the research opportunities, sustained commitment to interna- tional scientific partners, allies and adversaries alike, is essential for the promotion of openness, trust, and diplomacy. The United States must establish long-term funding and management mechanisms for engage- ment and support of large-scale initiatives with international partners. These projects require years, and in some cases decades, of project planning and implementation. Without long-term vision and support, the United States will be ill-equipped both to drive and to capitalize on global scientific advancements and, potentially, could be isolated from the next generation of advanced facilities. Bold Ambition: International Large-Scale Science, the second report of the American Academy’s Challenges for International Scientific Partnerships (CISP) initiative, lays out the im- portance of international large-scale science, across disciplines, and identifies best practices to mitigate challenges that commonly arise in them. I hope that its findings will be carefully consid- ered by the American policy-making community and implemented in the years to come. This report joins America and the International Future of Science, a report from the CISP initiative published in 2020, in analysis of the challenges and benefits of American participation in inter- national scientific partnerships. It will be followed by a third and final report, Global Connections: Emerging Science Partners, which will examine mechanisms for strengthening and making more equitable collaborations with countries working to build their R&D enterprises. The project, es- tablished in 2017 under the initiative of then-Academy President Jonathan F. Fanton, is identify- ing mechanisms by which the United States could become a better partner in such collaborations. It has been a pleasure to continue this important work during my tenure as Academy President. FROM THE PRESIDENT v FROM THE PRESIDENT In this effort, the Academy would like to extend its sincere gratitude toCISP Cochairs Arthur Bienenstock, Professor Emeritus of Photon Science, Special Assistant to the President for Federal Research Policy, and Associate Director of the Wallenberg Research Link at Stanford University, and Peter Michelson, Luke Blossom Professor in the School of Humanities and Sciences, Pro- fessor of Physics, and Senior Associate Dean for the Natural Sciences at Stanford University. In addition to their service as CISP Cochairs, Professors Bienenstock and Michelson have provided essential wisdom as Cochairs of the project working group on Large-Scale Science. The leadership and guidance from theCISP Steering Committee and working group on Large- Scale Science were invaluable for the development of this report, especially identifying the prin- ciples for large-scale science and the value of international large-scale science across scientific disciplines (see Appendix B). I am grateful to the Academy’s Board of Directors, Council, and Trust for their support of the development of this initiative, along with the contributions of many Academy Fellows. I thank representatives of the large-scale science community, including scien- tists, agency leaders, policy-makers, facility managers, and others, who provided insight for the development of the principles proposed in this report. The Alfred P. Sloan, William and Flora Hewlett, and Gordon and Betty Moore Foundations provided key financial support of this initia- tive, for which we are sincerely appreciative. I would also like to thank the Academy staff who helped to prepare this report: Amanda Vernon, Rebecca Tiernan, Islam Qasem, Tania Munz, John Randell, Gregory Savageau, Phyllis Bendell, Heather Struntz, Peter Walton, and Scott Raymond. I join with all of those who worked to identify and prepare the findings in this report to call for its uptake by America’s scientific and policy leaders. The future of international large-scale science is bright indeed, and our country must fully participate in its endeavors. Sincerely, David W. Oxtoby President, American Academy of Arts and Sciences vi BOLD AMBITION: INTERNATIONAL LARGE-SCALE SCIENCE Project Takeaways hallenges for International Scientific Partnerships CISP( ) is an American Academy initiative to identify the benefits of international collaboration C and recommend actions to be taken to address the most pressing chal- lenges facing these partnerships. This project has concluded that: 1. The United States should support and ex- Some future large-scale science endeavors pand international scientific collaborations, will be on a global scale and will necessar- including with nations with which the United ily involve international cooperation, with States has strained relations, such as China. some international efforts and facilities sit- Any restrictions on international collabora- ed outside of the United States but requir- tions involving federally supported research ing U.S. support. should be well-justified and carefully and nar- Large-scale research instrumentation and rowly defined.1 facilities are essential for scientific advance- Participation in international scientific col- ment across a variety of disciplines and will laborations is beneficial not only for U.S. become increasingly difficult for the United science, but for the United States overall. States to fund unilaterally. y International scientific collaborations 3. Emerging science partners around the complement and contribute to a strong world are and will continue to be important sci- domestic R&D enterprise and strengthen entific collaborators. The United States should U.S. economic competitiveness and na- support and partner with them in scientific tional security. research.2 y To perform state-of-the-art science and Scientific talent arises across the globe at an address global challenges effectively, U.S. increasing rate as many countries invest in scientists must continue to engage with building a more robust S&T enterprise. the global scientific community. Many of the most pressing scientific ques- 2. International large-scale scientific en- tions are not defined by national bound- deavors are an important