Making Sense of Science in the 21st Century: An Opinion Piece

Professor GUO Huadong, Director-General of the International Research Center of Big Data for Sustainable Development Goals (CBAS), was recently invited by the International Science Council (ISC) and Frontiers Policy Labs to contribute a commentary to their collection, Making sense of science in the 21st century, which focuses on trust in science and its role in addressing societal challenges. It aims to deepen and broaden the public's understanding of scientific research outcomes and to build a global consensus that science is a shared global public value.

Making sense of science in the 21st century, jointly initiated by Dr. Salvatore Aricò, CEO of ISC, and Professor Ruth Morgan, Director of the Centre for Forensic Sciences at University College London, primarily focuses on two key themes: trust in science, with a particular emphasis on trust in science policy and the construction of the meaning of science, exploring topics such as“What is science?” “How does science contribute to finding solutions to large-scale societal challenges?” and “How subtle the construction of the meaning of science can be?”

The collection features contributions from 20 renowned scientists from around the world, including the founder of ISC, ISC Fellows, members of the CODATA Executive Committee, and Senior Advisors from the Japan Science and Technology Agency. The content covers a wide range of topics such as open science, climate change, scientific advice, ethics in artificial intelligence, academic freedom, and public health, reflecting the broad range of issues in the field of science policy and current hot topics of discussion.

In his invited article, Prof. GUO Huadong calls for enhanced global cooperation to integrate scientific discoveries with technological progress, promote policy reforms, and address future societal challenges more effectively. He emphasizes that science in the 21st century is indispensable for understanding the human-environment interactions, and tackling global issues such as climate change and economic inequality. While globalization has brought communities closer, it has also amplified the consequences of their actions. Progress in science，Professor Guo argues, requires inclusivity and mutual respect, supported by comprehensive, accurate and timely data collected through verifiable and open methods.

Prof. Guo also highlights the challenges posed by the compartmentalization of expertise which creates significant barriers to understanding policymaking. Breakthroughs in areas like artificial intelligence, genomics, and climate science exacerbates this problem, as specialization of knowledge makes these advances difficult for non-experts to grasp. This disconnect hinders effective communication between science and the public, leading to misunderstanding and diminished trust in scientific processes.

To address these challenges, he advocates for a more inclusive and collaborative approach that involves acknowledging diverse perspectives, engaging stakeholders, and co-designing scientific investigations and solutions. Furthermore, fostering equitable outcomes and encouraging knowledge exchange are critical to rebuilding public trust in science.

The article also emphasize the need to adapt to digital technologies while improving scientific literacy through education, strengthen data infrastructure, maintain network security, and cultivate talent. As a globally leading international research institution, CBAS is dedicated to supporting the United Nations and stakeholders by providing accurate Big Earth Data, reliable methods and analysis, independent verification, and fostering diverse partnerships. Through these efforts, CBAS seeks to accelerate global sustainable development and contribute to the implementation of the SDGs by expanding and deepening the public's understanding and utilization of scientific research. Through these efforts, CBAS seeks to address significant societal challenges, accelerate global sustainable development, and advance the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). By expanding public understanding and utilization of scientific research, CBAS aims to make a meaningful contribution to the global sustainable development agenda.

For the full commentary article: https://policylabs.frontiersin.org/content/commentary-making-sense-of-science-in-the-21st-century-an-opinion-piece