Science, Education, Leadership, and Politics: An Interview with Bruce Alberts and Paul Nurse

Abstract

Science is often portrayed as the objective search for knowledge. However, science is also part of complex societies that shape science and in turn are shaped by scientific findings. In this interview, Bruce Alberts, former president of the US National Academy of Sciences, and Paul Nurse, former and future president of the Royal Society, discuss the roles of science and scientists in society. They share their passion to understand the natural world and the joy of discovery. They emphasize the importance of leadership in building institutions that support science and evidence-based decision-making. They share their frustration that current science education falls short in teaching the way science arrives at a better but incomplete understanding of the world. They urge scientists to organize and make their case to the public and fight misinformation and mistruths.