In this, Seed's first State of Science, we set out to examine the radical changes within science itself by assessing the evolving role of scientists and the shifting dimensions of scientific practice. We surveyed scientists, academics, and consulted with historians, journal editors, and policy experts alike. We also invited genome pioneer and entrepreneur Craig Venter to lay down his opinions on how science really gets done, Harvard historian Steven Shapin to profile the scientist of today, and researchers from five different continents to tell us why they do what they do. Our aim was to capture the fundamentals of science and create an honest snapshot of the state of science today—along with the motivations and ambitions of the individuals who will chart its future course.
Contents
The Fundamentals
Five fundamental aspects of the current scientific landscape: money, intellectual property, informatics, public perception, publishing.
Emergent Science Cities
A look at five up and coming centers of innovation and the scientists who practice there: Natal, Brazil; Jena, Germany; Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; Mianyang, China; Abuja, Nigeria.
The Seed Index
Coming soon: An international survey of scientists that provides an unparalleled look at the opinions and attitudes of the global scientific community.
The Scientist in 2008
As science increasingly shapes our cultural moment, the identity of its practitioners is also evolving.
Bigger, Better, Faster
In a Seed exclusive, the man who sequenced the human genome explains what's holding science back and how he intends to fix it.
Revolutionary Minds
Five game-changing individuals who aren't willing to settle for the status quo, and instead strive for a better way for science to exist.