African Science Academy Development Initiative THE NATIONAL ACADEMIES Advisors to the Nation on Science, Engineering, and Medicine Overview of the U.S. National Academies

African Science Academy Development Initiative US NATIONAL ACADEMIES Brief History

African Science Academy Development Initiative National Academy of Sciences: Early History The National Academy of Sciences was created at the time of the Civil War. The Act of Incorporation, signed by President Lincoln on March 3, 1863, established service to the nation as its dominant purpose.

African Science Academy Development Initiative National Academy of Sciences Act of Incorporation: 1863 Two important clauses: “…shall, whenever called upon by any department of the Government, investigate, examine, experiment, and report upon any subject of science or art…” and “…but the Academy shall receive no compensation whatever for any services to the Government of the United States.”

African Science Academy Development Initiative Consequences of Limited Government Capacity Conflicts among political leaders and ‘captains of industry’ over the role of government in 3 areas: –Regulations –Standards –Sponsoring/organizing science

African Science Academy Development Initiative Consequences of Limited Government Capacity [cont.] Corruption in the wake of the ‘spoils system’ led the scientific and professional community to push for reforms. This led to: –Creation of a professionalized, though limited bureaucracy that was non-political, technically competent and accountable to elected officials. –The establishment of professional associations that helped to establish a framework for professional standards and accreditation, scientific values and generation of ‘outside’ advice. American Medical Association (1847) American Bar Association (1878) National Academy of Sciences (1863); later the NRC (1916)

African Science Academy Development Initiative INSIDE-OUTSIDE ADVICE

African Science Academy Development Initiative What Constitutes ‘Inside’ Advice? Executive Office professional staff attached to the White House. Scientific and technical staff employed within the bureaucracy. Contracted expertise. Advice to government under stipulated conditions for a price

African Science Academy Development Initiative What’s Outside Advice? National Academy of Sciences. Scientific and professional associations. Non-governmentally supported research Specially constituted investigatory or advisory commissions. Government funded university research, conducted under open-ended grants (since WWII, the vast majority of research and development in the U.S. is contracted out).

African Science Academy Development Initiative Pros and Cons of Outside Expertise Pros: –Independent, high standards, highly credible –Not vulnerable to political interference Cons: –Needs resources –Further away from decision makers –May not understand time constraints –Agenda setting biases – why this question? –C ompetition from non-science based organizations (e.g. ideological think tanks)

African Science Academy Development Initiative Pros and Cons of Inside Expertise Pros: –Close to decision makers –Understand timing issues, constraints –Greater ability to interact and advise in real time Cons: –External credibility –Vulnerable to political interference –Political agenda settings

African Science Academy Development Initiative KEY ELEMENTS OF THE US NAS

African Science Academy Development Initiative Our Mission To recognize excellence in science and technology To be a trusted adviser to government –On policy issues with significant technical and scientific components –On matters of science and technology policy

African Science Academy Development Initiative The National Academies: Advisers to the Nation National Academy of Sciences (1863) National Research Council (1916) National Academy of Engineering (1964) Institute of Medicine (1970)

African Science Academy Development Initiative The Imprimatur of the National Academy of Sciences All programs of the National Academies are conducted in a manner consistent with National Academies’ policies

African Science Academy Development Initiative Unique Strengths Stature of academies’ membership Ability to get the very best to serve “Pro Bono” nature of committee service Interdisciplinary nature of studies Quality assurance and control procedures Reputation for independence and objectivity

African Science Academy Development Initiative ABOUT THE US ACADEMIES

African Science Academy Development Initiative NAS, NAE, and IOM Membership 2011 NAS: 2,600 members NAE 2,300 members IOM 1700 members NRC 1400 employees

African Science Academy Development Initiative National Research Council Program Organization

African Science Academy Development Initiative Methods of Operation CONSENSUS STUDIES Balance and Composition of Committees Report Review CONVENING ACTIVITES Workshops Roundtables OPERATIONAL PROGRAMS Fellowships Research/Surveys Education and Training Data Banks

African Science Academy Development Initiative Positioning and Partnering NAS/NAE/IOM

African Science Academy Development Initiative Number of Committees and Committee Members

African Science Academy Development Initiative Volunteers are drawn from different sectors

African Science Academy Development Initiative Number of Reports and Other Documents Produced

African Science Academy Development Initiative AUTONOMY

African Science Academy Development Initiative Why is Autonomy Critical? Scientists & technical experts cannot operate according to professional standards without autonomy In bureaucracies, it protects the authority of expertise over that of incumbency (the political prerogative of the office holder). Where experts have autonomy, decision- making is based on science, driven by facts and therefore more likely to be in the public interest

African Science Academy Development Initiative Committee Members Serve as Individuals Committee members carefully chosen with respect to background, knowledge, and experience and with regard to bias and conflict of interest Members serve as individuals, not as representatives of organizations or interest groups Members are expected to contribute their expertise and good judgment in the conduct of the study

African Science Academy Development Initiative Impartiality and Objectivity NRC Committees are expected to be fair and evenhanded in the conduct of their studies. –All parties at interest should get due process –All responsible arguments and alternatives should be considered –Standards should be applied consistently to evaluating arguments and alternatives –Evidence should not be used selectively –Expect judgments and opinions should be identified as such

African Science Academy Development Initiative Quality Management While NRC committees are responsible for the substance of their reports, the report must meet quality standards set by the Academy All reports subject to independent review, which is considered an integral part of the project

African Science Academy Development Initiative The Role of the Staff In most successful projects, a close partnership is formed between the committee and its supporting staff Staff can help the committee in virtually any way to complete the study in a timely, cost-effective way Staff not there to impose their own ideas on a committee

African Science Academy Development Initiative VALUES OF AN ACADEMY

African Science Academy Development Initiative What Are Values? Values are traits or qualities that are considered worthwhile by an organization Values already exist in every workplace (real and preferred) Effective organizations identify and develop a clear concise and shared meaning of values/beliefs, priorities, and direction (Once seen as the first step of strategic planning) Once defined, values impact every aspect of an organization

African Science Academy Development Initiative Values of the NRC Independence Balance Technical Excellence Impartiality and Objectivity

African Science Academy Development Initiative Why Values Are Important Because values define what is important to the institution Values provide the means (standards) to evaluate an organization’s accomplishments Values can be an important source of motivation Guide ways one filters new information Guides the development of new policies Helps an organization identify priorities for growth/ action/ change Help organizations evaluate certain types of trade- offs (e.g. time versus money)

African Science Academy Development Initiative Guide For Policy/Action Innovation Behaviors Consistent with this value –Willingness to think creatively –Willingness to take on new challenges and try new things –Emphasis the sharing best/ cutting edge practices Behaviors not Consistent –Creating “red tape” blocking new ideas –“We have always done it this way” –Showing fear of or reluctance to change

African Science Academy Development Initiative Examples Of Values Professionalism and Commitment; Excellence; Integrity; Relevance (GAAS Strategic Plan) To uphold truth, integrity, honesty, and accountability; to nurture excellence, innovativeness, and responsible professionalism; to espouse the culture of tolerance and be sensitive to matters of equity; be at the forefront of providing scientific leadership through meritocracy (KNAS Strategic Plan)

African Science Academy Development Initiative Six values that NRC recently determined are important to the organization Independence – not part of the federal government; operate in a way to ensure that committees are free from external pressure; without regard to politics or special interests Objectivity – processes in place for avoiding conflicts of interest to ensure that we provide impartial, unbiased advice Integrity – meticulous study process to ensure the findings are supported by evidence Truth – base all findings, conclusions, and recommendations on the best available data Evidence – using science to seek solutions Expertise – mobilize the best and brightest minds

African Science Academy Development Initiative An Example of How the US-NAS Builds Values into its Operations Independence, Objectivity –Careful screening process to ensure balanced committees -- including bias and conflict of interest disclosure –All committee appointments made by President of the NRC – no external appointments (e.g. sponsors) –Committees allowed to close doors to deliberate –Rigorous peer-review process

African Science Academy Development Initiative The Value Development Process What values are important to your Academies? Why they are important? What is the evidence that the organization already possesses this value? Could new policies and procedures be introduced that would reinforce this value?