On the speed of science and slowness of democracy. Navigating the various temporal realities.

During the Q&A portion of the ‘Science and Democracy’ panel discussion on January 9, 2025, co-hosted by Boston’s Museum of Science and The Boston Globe, Professors Danielle Allen and David Kaiser responded to an audience question on the temporal misalignment between science and democracy. The moderator, Tim Ritchie (President of the Museum of Science) expanded the question by asking:

“The pace of technological change for something like #artificialintelligence, or the pace of technological change like for genetic engineering, these things are happening very quickly. The public wants to regulate in some way. Do we have the expertise to do so? How can the public have reasonable participation so that it actually counts for goodness?

Source: Museum of Science, Boston, MA “Science and Democracy” January 9, 2025 – https://www.mos.org/events/science-and-democracy-livestream

Additional background readings

1. Reinvigorating the Role of Science in Democracy

Authors: Michael Halpern, et al.

Published in: PLOS Biology

Summary: This article discusses how political and private interests often sideline scientific expertise in policy-making processes. It highlights initiatives aimed at strengthening the role of science in democratic governance by increasing public trust and accountability.

2. Public Participation in Science and Technology Policy- and Decision-Making—Ephemeral Phenomenon or Lasting Change?

Author: Simon Joss

Published in: Science and Public Policy

Summary: This paper examines the rise of public participation in science and technology policy, analyzing its conceptual, methodological, and practical diversity, and its implications for policy-making processes.

3. Public Engagement with Science—Origins, Motives, and Impact in Academic Literature and Science Policy

Authors: Martin W. Bauer, et al.

Published in: PLOS ONE

Summary: This study provides a comprehensive analysis of the development of ‘public engagement’ rhetoric in science communication and policy, exploring its origins, motivations, and impact over time.

4. Perspective: Science Policy Through Public Engagement

Author: Richard A. L. Jones

Published in: Science and Public Policy

Summary: This article discusses the evolution of public involvement in science policy, highlighting how increasing public participation can lead to more supportive constituencies and better policy outcomes.

Fanuel Muindi

Fanuel Muindi is a former neuroscientist turned civic science ethnographer. He is a professor of the practice in the Department of Communication Studies within the College of Arts, Media, and Design at Northeastern University, where he leads the Civic Science Media Lab. Dr. Muindi received his Bachelor’s degree in Biology and PhD in Organismal Biology from Morehouse College and Stanford University, respectively. He completed his postdoctoral training at MIT.