News & Topics
JST organized a Special Session at the 2023 AAAS Annual Meeting
Department for Promotion of Science in Society
Washington, D.C. Office
The AAAS Annual Meeting, an open forum organized by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) for stakeholders in science, education, and policy to discuss science and society, was held March 2-5 in Washington, D.C., USA. Held in a face-to-face format for the first time in three years, the annual meeting featured more than 180 programs on science, policy, and society, including keynote addresses, scientific sessions, workshops, and exhibitions under the theme "Science for Humanity.”
JST hosted a session and panel on "Just system transitions in response to crises," which reviewed how research and development has responded to societal changes resulting from crises and emerging societal challenges. The three panelists from Japan and the United States discussed how science can play a responsible role in just system transitions in society. Professor Norichika Kanie of Keio University, who facilitated the session, introduced the impact of recent natural and man-made disasters on the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the current international need to strengthen the "science-policy-society interface" to effectively advance the SDGs. JST President, Dr. Kazuhito Hashimoto reflected on the response of funding agencies and scientists to the Great East Japan Earthquake, and expressed hope that scientists can play a catalytic role in achieving a just transition in society. Dr. Sethuraman Panchanathan, Director of the National Science Foundation (NSF), emphasized the need to accelerate innovation and talent development responding to crises by learning from the experience. The Honorable Deborah L. Wince-Smith, President and CEO of the U.S. Council on Competitiveness (CoC) highlighted the value of "place-based innovation" for sustainable economic development and crisis management from the perspective of the private and business sectors. The panel emphasized the importance of scientists not only providing evidence for society and policy, but also working with industry and civil society with a "fair vision" and how to communicate with them in this process. The panel also discussed the importance of collaborating with international partners to promote these perspectives.
From left to right, Dr. Norichika Kanie as moderator, Ms. Deborah L. Wince-Smith, Dr. Kazuhito Hashimoto and Dr. Sethuraman Panchanathan as panelists.