Shaping the future: ISSUES Magazine on science policy, innovation and social progress

Women’s sexual health, a landmark Black neuroscience study, and the role of labor unions in artificial intelligence may not seem to have much in common. However, these are all aspects of science and technology that affect the lives of millions of people in significant but often underappreciated ways. Thoughtful consideration of these issues by decision-makers in academia, government and industry can have a powerful impact. For example, it can encourage research that enhances women’s well-being, make the benefits of neuroscience research more equitable and improve the implementation of AI systems.

What else do these topics have in common? They are all subjects of essays in the Fall 2024 edition of ISSUES in Science and Technology. This magazine, which recently celebrated its 40th anniversary, is dedicated to exploring how science and technology can help create a better world. Through deeply informed, highly accessible, and constructive contributions to public debate, ISSUES investigates how knowledge and innovation can be used to achieve societal goals.

ISSUES was first launched in 1984 as “an independent journal of opinion” published by the National Academy of Sciences, which provides scientific advice to the government. Unlike other Academy publications, which present consensus expert opinions, ISSUES invites provocative, informative, and lively articles on all aspects of science and technology policy.

Frank Press, then president of the National Academy of Sciences, wrote that the new magazine would be “dedicated to the broadening of enlightened opinion, reasoned discussion, and informed debate of national and international issues in which science and technology play a critical role.”

In 2013, Arizona State University became an academic partner and co-publisher of ISSUES. ASU President Michael Crow recognized that science and technology now play a pivotal role in nearly every major issue, making the discussions in ISSUES more crucial than ever.

Scientific discovery, technology, and innovation are evolving at unprecedented speeds, and the decisions and actions we take today will have significant ramifications for humanity tomorrow,” President Crow wrote. “ISSUES in Science and Technology exists to provide accessible, accurate, and thought-provoking perspectives from leading-edge minds in research, government, and business. These perspectives inspire critical dialogues and inform responsible decision-making to support a better future for all.

Quarterly Print Edition  

The print edition, with its in-depth essays, forum debates, and stunning artwork, is just one way to engage with these perspectives. ISSUES also hosts a podcast, The Ongoing Transformation, where editors speak with fascinating individuals to explore how their research and ideas are transforming the world. A recent podcast miniseries featured four of ASU’s Global Futures Lab scientists discussing their work on climate change.

Podcast  

For students and professionals interested in science policy, the podcast series Science Policy IRL offers a behind-the-scenes look at what science policy entails and how people build careers in the field by talking to practitioners about their daily work.

Events 

ISSUES also hosts online events to discuss emerging and exciting topics such as building a quantum workforce, creating affordable drugs, and how philosophy can aid NASA in exploring space.

Lastly, ISSUES is launching a new project in collaboration with Arizona State University’s Center for Science and the Imagination. Future Tense Fiction features original speculative fiction stories exploring complex interactions among emerging technologies, public policy, and society. Each story is accompanied by a response essay that relates the story’s themes to ongoing policy debates.

Free Newsletter  

ISSUES invites you to join this vital conversation about using science and technology to create a better world. To stay informed about everything ISSUES does, sign up for the free weekly newsletter, which will arrive in your inbox every Friday morning.