And I Thought Forecasting the Weather Was Difficult: The Future of Our Academic Research Enterprise

The first direct detection of gravitational waves, predicted 100 years ago by Einstein. Creation of the Higgs boson—the “God particle”—by the Large Hadron Collider. Atmospheric models that have “predicted” an actual “tornado” (after the fact) to within a few minutes and a few miles. The discovery of ice on Mars. The iPhone. Drones. Self-healing and self-cleaning materials…Scientific research continues to advance at a remarkable pace, reflected by numerous discoveries and achievements and the innumerable benefits associated with them. Yet, we face unprecedented challenges to maintaining the vibrancy of the research enterprise in light of highly problematic federal budgets, excessive compliance burdens, the costs of research, the notion that only research having clear practical value in the national interest should be funded, challenges to building interest among young people in STEM disciplines, and ineffective strategies for enhancing diversity.Concurrently, the academic landscape is undergoing a profound transformation, driven in part by new technologies but also by now familiar pressures associated with declining state appropriations, higher overall costs and student debt, problematic graduation rates and time to graduation, burgeoning enrollments, an increasing reticence to open debate regarding important and sometimes divisive issues, and a growing notion by many that higher education exists solely for the purpose of obtaining gainful employment.Fortunately, in the midst of these challenges is wholly unprecedented opportunity for the nation and world—opportunity in research, education, and economic development—that will require new types of leadership, different administrative models, greater creativity at the boundaries of traditional disciplines, more effective engagement with law and policymakers, better use of technology, and an enhanced diversity of views and backgrounds. This presentation lays out key challenges and opportunities in a context underpinned by the fundamental human desire to understand and improve the world. It also suggests strategies for shaping the future and the particular role to be played by the academy.