What Political Volatility Means for the Future of Science

Jörn Kaspuhl

Join Our Community of Science Lovers!


On supporting science journalism

If you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.


Elections, as they say, have consequences. In the U.S., the Trump administration threatens to roll back environmental protections, cut research funding and undermine the very concept of objective truth. The U.K.'s decision to leave the European Union is destabilizing science throughout Europe. Not everyone is moving backward: some nations, such as China, see opportunity in the upheaval. But it's safe to say that everyone with a stake in the future of science is asking themselves, What comes next?

Read More about the State of the World’s Science:

Scientific American Magazine Vol 317 Issue 4This article was published with the title “Reason on the Ropes” in Scientific American Magazine Vol. 317 No. 4 (), p. 64
doi:10.1038/scientificamerican1017-64

It’s Time to Stand Up for Science

If you enjoyed this article, I’d like to ask for your support. Scientific American has served as an advocate for science and industry for 180 years, and right now may be the most critical moment in that two-century history.

I’ve been a Scientific American subscriber since I was 12 years old, and it helped shape the way I look at the world. SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe. I hope it does that for you, too.

If you subscribe to Scientific American, you help ensure that our coverage is centered on meaningful research and discovery; that we have the resources to report on the decisions that threaten labs across the U.S.; and that we support both budding and working scientists at a time when the value of science itself too often goes unrecognized.

In return, you get essential news, captivating podcasts, brilliant infographics, can't-miss newsletters, must-watch videos, challenging games, and the science world's best writing and reporting. You can even gift someone a subscription.

There has never been a more important time for us to stand up and show why science matters. I hope you’ll support us in that mission.

Thank you,

David M. Ewalt, Editor in Chief, Scientific American

Subscribe