AAAS Calls for Confirmation Hearing for NSF Director

The American Association for the Advancement of Science urged Senate committee leaders to hold an open confirmation hearing for the proposed National Science Foundation director, Jim O'Neill. The NSF has lacked a director since last April, and the letter argues there is no time left to waste. The letter cites China surpassing the United States in total research and development spending and notes a lack of clarity about America’s vision without a Senate-confirmed NSF director. It emphasizes the need for a visionary leader to guide a strong, well-funded agency investing in basic research and next-generation discovery. Concerns include O'Neill’s lack of an advanced science degree and experience managing large basic research programs, prompting calls for greater congressional scrutiny.

"“It has been two years since China surpassed the United States in total dollars spent on research and development, and it has been one year since we have had any clarity on America's vision by a Senate-confirmed Director of NSF,” Sudip S. Parikh, chief executive officer of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and executive publisher of the Science journals, wrote in a letter toleaders of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee. “There is no time left to waste.”"

"“In this time of massive disruption in the sciences from artificial intelligence, global competition, and the Trump administration, it is essential to have a visionary and articulate leader at the helm of a strong, well-funded, and productive agency investing in basic research and the next generation of American discovery,” Parikh wrote. “It is critical for the Committee to determine whether Mr. O'Neill is that leader.”"

"Science has reported that O'Neill “lacks an advanced science degree and any experience managing a large basic research enterprise.” “An open forum is crucial to learn more about Mr. O'Neill's vision for American science and NSF, and how he plans to tackle a wide array of issues he would face if confirmed,” Parikh wrote, adding that “While an unconventional background is not necessarily disqualifying, it does require greater scrutiny of the nomination by Congress.”"

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