Committee Examines Harassment in Science
BU IN DC
Dean Sandro Galea of the School of Public Health spoke at the National Academy of Medicine Leadership Consortium for a Value and Science-Driven Health System on February 26. He also participated in a meeting of the National Advisory Council on Minority Health and Health Disparities, of which he is a member, on February 27.
Brian Poznanski and Aya Al-Namee of Admissions participated in the National Association of College Admissions Counselors Annual Advocacy Day on February 25 and 26.
COMMITTEE EXAMINES HARASSMENT IN SCIENCE
The House Subcommittee on Science, Space, and Technology’s Subcommittee on Research and Technology held a hearing on Tuesday to examine sexual harassment and misconduct in science. Lawmakers expressed concern that harassment was causing women to leave science careers, and asked the witnesses to explain how universities and the federal government could curb unacceptable behavior. During the hearing, Dr. Rhonda Davis of the National Science Foundation (NSF) touted the agency’s forthcoming policy that will require institutions to alert NSF if they discover NSF-funded researchers have committed sexual harassment. Davis said the new policy was based in part on “lessons [NSF] learned” during an interaction with Boston University.
BUDGET OVERHAUL COMMITTEE TAKES SHAPE
Congressional leaders from both political parties recently appointed members to a new budget reform committee tasked with rethinking the Congressional budget and appropriations process. The Joint Select Committee on Budget and Appropriations Process Reform is required by law to hold five public meetings before voting on a report to recommend legislation to redesign how Congress will determine federal agency budgets. While lawmakers recognize their failure to produce timely appropriations bills has led to disarray within the federal government for many years, it is unclear whether the new committee will be able to reach agreement on meaningful budget reform.
REPORT URGES INVESTMENT IN RESEARCH
As part of its strategic planning process, the Government Accountability Office has issued a paper identifying the need for United States to invest in research in order to advance the nation’s well-being. The paper cites “genome editing, artificial intelligence and automation, quantum information science, brain-computer interfaces and augmented reality, and blockchain and cryptocurrencies” as key areas ripe for technological revolution. It goes on to say that, “In an environment of increasingly constrained resources, particularly at the federal level, investing in R&D efforts in a strategic and coordinated way will be critical.”