In order for research to become useful, researchers and
developers from academia, industry and government have to share their needs and
ideas. Everyone in the field knows that. Most people would agree that much of
the value and action-steps come from hallway conversations among presenters and
attendees.
And nearly everyone in the field has a great deal of
apprehension about the serious threat to global technology leadership and
economic viability wrought by current U.S. restrictions on travel by government
employees.
In the photonics sector, this includes the scientists and engineers
at NASA, NIST, NIH, DOD, DOE, NSF, NOAA, and several other agencies.
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| Rep. Rush Holt is one of a very few professional scientists serving in the U.S. Congress. (Photo: Kate Bohler, Asia Society/Flickr) |
"I know firsthand how important scientific conferences and
meetings are. The informal conversations, as well as the formal presentations
and poster sessions that go into a conference among scientists from different
institutions, lead to new collaborations that have the promise of new
discoveries. These are not fancy junkets.
"Many of the insights that have driven our understanding of
science forward in recent years have been possible only through the
collaboration of dozens, hundreds, or even thousands of scientists scattered
across the globe … many insights are possible only because of close, personal
interactions among scientists who see each regularly: those who do not work at
the same university or laboratory must rely on interacting with each other at
conferences."
In optics and photonics alone, these insights are responsible
for night vision and laser targeting, cures for disease, broadband
communications, sustainable energy generation, cyber security for business and
law enforcement, more effective surgical techniques, and much more.
And these insights are the fuel that drives technology innovation,
creating new business opportunities and ensuring leadership in the global
economy.
Holt is not alone in bringing this message to Congress and
lobbying for adjustment to the regulations. Scientific and engineering
societies such as SPIE are taking action as well.
Robert Lieberman,
chair of the SPIE committee on Engineering Science, and Technology Policy, and Eugene Arthurs, SPIE CEO, have written
to influential Members of Congress and the OSTP with a similar message, and
SPIE President William Arnold and Arthurs have contacted society
constituents who are working in government with a message of support.
"While SPIE recognizes the importance of reining in wasteful
spending and improving governmental accountability, these new restrictions are
extreme in their efforts to limit federal employees' participation in the
scientific process,” Lieberman wrote to Senator Barbara Mikulski of Maryland. Mikulski is chair of the Senate Subcommittee
on Commerce, Justice, and Science and a member of several appropriations and
other committees. “These regulations will have long-term repercussions for the ability of
scientists to exchange information and for the economic recovery of this
nation."
As Arnold’s and Arthurs’ letter to constituents pointed out,
the impact of the regulations is heightened by federal budget cuts mandated by
sequestration.
A move by SPIE of its Defense, Security, and Sensing from
Orlando, Florida, to Baltimore, Maryland, was prompted in part by recognition
that federal agencies need to control costs.
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| Congressional Visits Day gave voluntees from the photonics community a chance to talk with Members of Congress about community concerns -- including the ability for government scientists, researchers, and engineers to meet in person with colleagues at conferences. (SPIE photo) |
You can help, too: Add your voice to those informing Congress
about why scientific meetings are important to your work.
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