EMPOWER WITH EVIDENCE

Knowledge based on well-validated scientific discovery gives us the ability to transform our world. Over the last half-century, new discoveries from many different areas of science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and medicine have provided solutions to seemingly intractable problems. Research provides an unparalleled opportunity to explore and transform our world in all its complexity and mechanistic detail. It enables us to uncover fundamental aspects of how we relate to our world and to one another.

And yet, while the trajectory of the future will be defined by both the predictable and unexpected consequences of current scientific endeavors, the value of and trust in science have diminished. Science literacy, evidence-based decision making, science-based planning, and the use of validated knowledge to drive public policy are no longer universal societal aspirations. Engagement and communication must ensure that the value of science becomes accessible to all.

The 2022 AAAS Annual Meeting will feature groundbreaking trans- and multi-disciplinary research – not only to advance knowledge, but to understand and ultimately resolve many of the problems we face. The meeting will also highlight new initiatives in advocacy, education, and policy to address the challenges of rebuilding the public’s trust and appreciation of science.