The State of U.S. Science & Engineering 2020 Report
Florida State's Federal Relations staff attends House briefing on The State of U.S. Science and Engineering.
The National Science Board has recently published its 2020 Report on the State of U.S. Science and Engineering in which it concludes that while other countries around the world are rising in their overall contribution to research and development (R&D), the United States has remained the world leader in many STEM areas. This is much in part due to funding from the federal government and higher-learning institutions, like FSU, which comprise the majority of overall R&D funding. Florida State University’s federal relations staff was present at the board’s House of Representatives briefing to discuss the implications of the report on the future of Science and Engineering in the United States and what that signifies on the global stage.
The NSB pointed out China’s substantial progression in many categories relating to science and engineering. This includes their Gross Domestic Expenditures on R&D that show China will soon pass the United States in upcoming years due to their annual growth rate being around 4x greater than that of the U.S. The board notes that this is not inherently bad as greater focus in STEM allows for more innovation and breakthroughs that will likely benefit the whole world. However, the report concludes that the United States should turn their attention to the workforce in science and engineering as an area that needs to be improved on. Women and minority groups are underrepresented in S&E. Further, foreign-born individuals (that hold a Masters or Doctorate degree) make up about a third of the S&E workforce.
Research & development performed by universities is key to maintaining the global position of the United States when it comes to science and engineering. Higher-education institutions, like Florida State University, drive basic research and training for new scientists and engineers.
References and additional information:
Science and Engineering Indicators
Academic Research and Development in the United States