Dear Member,  

As you well know, this month is a crucial one for American politics and society. While there is no doubt that we are in a golden age of science, this moment also comes with uncertainty and intense polarization.  

Against this backdrop, it is not enough to simply ask society to trust the scientific community and the scientific process. We must earn that trust. We have an opportunity to chart productive paths forward together. 
 

Last week, AAAS shared how we’re advocating for public access policies that balance equitable access for readers and authors during International Open Access Week. As part of that work, we initiated a survey to learn from scientists what they see as the impacts of open license types like CC BY on downstream uses of research output. Please consider filling out this survey.

On November 14, AAAS and Science are hosting a webinar featuring Pew Research Center timed to the release of Pew’s 2024 annual Trust in Science survey findings. I will be joined by Science Editor-in-Chief Holden Thorp and AAAS Board Member and renowned science and policy communicator Kathleen Hall Jamieson to discuss what these findings tell us regarding America’s trust in science and what we should do about it. I hope you’ll participate. You can sign up using this link.

Despite the challenges and uncertainty of the moment, I remain optimistic and energized by the progress by – and opportunities for – the scientific community.  

Lastly, for your monthly dose of wonder: Enjoy this inspiring video marking the 150th anniversary of AAAS Honorary Fellows. From astronaut and NASA leader Ellen Ochoa to chemist and YouTube star Martyn Poliakoff, AAAS Fellows are making an impact. This video is worth six minutes of your time!