The National Science Foundation (NSF) held a research workshop “”https://www.ndsciencehumanitiespolicy.org/workshop/“>Making sense of the broader impacts of science and technology” earlier this month (5 – 7 August), to reflect on why (rather than how) scientists and engineers ought to address the broader impacts of their research. A preliminary report of the workshop is now available (PDF).

The NSF recently changed its “merit review” criteria to require scientists to address these broader impacts, and the workshop was held to explain why the criteria were changed, and to address some key questions, including:

How much freedom should the scientific and engineering community be granted to set the terms of its research?

Why is “the integration of research and education” an important value scientists and engineers ought to uphold? What would such integration actually entail?

Why should scientists and engineers seek to expand the participation of underrepresented groups?

What are the links between science and politics?

Why should scientists and engineers worry about the broader impacts of their research? Do scientists and engineers have a responsibility to pursue research directed toward pressing societal needs when their research is publicly funded?

Is basic research in science and engineering value-neutral?

Do other funding agencies ask applicants to talk about societal benefits?

How can basic researchers articulate the broader impacts of their research?

What does “broader impacts” mean anyway?

The organisers of the NSF meeting welcome your comments and suggestions on the preliminary report and on the questions discussed.