S&T policy makers should read scientific literature --- A policy maker in the field of S&T doesn't necessarily have a background education in science (although it would certainly help), but should at least read some scientific literature. You don't need to graduate from Physics or Engineering to read abstracts and conclusions of articles published in main science journals (even highly specialized scientists read only that). That would increase the perception of the potential brought by science in solving policy issues. Not doing it, would mean that policy makers neglect the scientific communities, thus contributing to miscommunication. In the modern world we live, the lack in accessing scientific literature is not anymore an excuse. As a Minister of Finance would dig into benchmark trends to understand the volatility of the stock exchange market, I would expect something similar from a Minister of Science and Research

Source author: Vojko Bratina vbratina@katamail.com