Science Policy
AAAS Initiative to Report on Impact of Post-9/11 Era
The National Science Foundation has funded a AAAS initiative to track and
analyze the impacts on the scientific enterprise of security measures imposed
on the research and higher education communities since September 11, 2001.
"A number of organizations have been examining different aspects of the
situation-- delays in processing visas for foreign students and visitors,
rules for handling certain chemical and biological agents, policies regarding
publication of ‘sensitive but unclassified' information, and changes
in federal grant and contract provisions," said Al Teich, head of AAAS's
Directorate for Science and Public Policy Programs. "The AAAS project is
the only one so far that is looking at the big picture."
In the initial stage of the project, AAAS staff are setting up a system for
collecting and organizing information on ways in which science and scientists
have been affected. Teich notes that the project will also engage in educational
and outreach activities aimed at policy-makers, the scientific community, the
media, and the interested public.
Scientists and engineers whose activities have been affected by these policies
are invited to contact AAAS staff, either by email,
or by using the form on the project Website.
