OSTP to Develop Implementation Guidance for NSPM-33
White House Office of Science and Technology Policy Director Eric Lander announced in a blog post that, over the next 90 days, OSTP will develop “clear and effective implementation guidance” for National Security Presidential Memorandum-33. Issued on January 14, 2021, NSPM-33 directs federal agencies to take action to “strengthen protections of United States Government-supported Research and Development (R&D) against foreign government interference and exploitation.” OSTP hosted association leaders today in a community forum to discuss and provide feedback on the implementation planning for NSPM-33; AAU and other higher education and scientific societies participated in this forum. According to Lander’s blog post, NSPM-33 implementation guidance will address three major areas: disclosure policy, oversight and enforcement, and research security programs. The guidance will be informed by principles of openness that also protect America’s security and the need for clarity in federal guidelines on researchers’ responsibilities. Lander wrote: “We need policies and processes that are clear and uniform—so that well-intentioned researchers can easily and properly comply, and those with dishonest or malicious intent have little excuse for their actions.” Lander also emphasized the importance of ensuring that new policies do not fan the flames of xenophobia or prejudice, including anti-Asian sentiments. Finally, Lander invited researchers and research institutions to weigh in on the implementation of NSPM-33; ideas can be emailed to researchsecurity@ostp.eop.gov. ( Association of American Universities - Aug. 11, 2021)
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Has the Hunt for Chinese Spies Become a Witch Hunt?
When the Biden administration took office, many in higher education expected a shift in Washington’s attitude toward academic collaboration with China. The Trump administration restricted Chinese-student visas, froze exchange programs, and policed the money colleges were getting from China. President Biden, by contrast, has toned down the rhetoric, and his administration has called for a “renewed U.S. commitment” to international education. Yet the Trump administration’s signature China Initiative, an investigation of economic and academic espionage, continues. To critics, the investigations, which with few exceptions have focused on American scientists of Chinese and Asian descent, amount to racial profiling. They are concerned that if the China Initiative continues it could diminish international research collaboration, weaken academic freedom, and discourage not only Chinese scientists but Chinese American ones from working at American universities. ( The Chronicle of Higher Education - Aug. 11, 2021)
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‘Big Step Forward.’ Energy Expert Analyzes the New U.S. Infrastructure Bill
The U.S. Senate yesterday passed legislation that calls for spending $1 trillion—including $550 billion in new funds—on improving the nation’s infrastructure. Most of the funding will go to upgrading transportation, water, and power infrastructure, as well as expanding broadband internet access. But the bill also includes some money for R&D, primarily for advancing clean energy technologies, including electric vehicles and efforts to trap carbon dioxide produced by power plants before it enters the atmosphere. ScienceInsider spoke with David Hart, a science policy expert at George Mason University who has been closely following the bill, about its research-related provisions. [He said the] biggest thing is there will be a lot more dollars flowing through the Department of Energy [DOE]. How much that will affect the academic community is a little bit unclear. A lot of the dollars are going to go to demonstration projects, which are likely going to be led by companies. There may be a role for research institutions. I certainly think [DOE’s] national labs will play a role, and probably universities will play a role in some of these projects as well. ( Science Magazine - Aug. 11, 2021)
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President Biden Nominates David Honey for Defense Deputy Under Secretary for Research and Engineering
President Biden has nominated David Honey to serve as the deputy under secretary for research and engineering in the Department of Defense. Honey is currently a special assistant to the director of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency. He has previously served as the director of science and technology in the Office of the Director of National Intelligence and as the deputy assistant secretary of defense for research. He holds a doctorate from Syracuse University. ( Association of American Universities - Aug. 11, 2021)
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Warren Drops Opposition to Biden’s Higher Education Nominee
President Joe Biden’s pick for the No. 3 spot at the Education Department is moving forward in the Senate after Sen. Elizabeth Warren dropped her opposition, citing “substantial reforms” to the federal student loan program that she says the administration vowed to make. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer early Wednesday morning filed cloture on the nomination of James Kvaal to be undersecretary of Education, the top official overseeing higher education and student aid. The Senate agreed to take up the procedural vote on his nomination when it returns from recess in mid-September. Kvaal, a former top Obama education adviser who most recently led The Institute for College Access and Success, won bipartisan support as his nomination cleared the Senate HELP Committee in April on a 19-3 vote. But Warren blocked a swift confirmation on the Senate floor as she pressed the Biden administration over its plans for managing $1.6 trillion of federal student loans. ( Politico - Aug. 11, 2021)
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