Welcome to the 2020 Science Archive
2020 Science started life in 2007 as a nanotechnology blog written by Andrew Maynard on SafeNano. In the following years it developed into a personal blog addressing emerging technologies, responsible innovation, risk, science communication, and the intersection between science and society more generally.
Andrew made he decision to wind the blog down in 2019 as his focus and writing developed in new directions. This archive contains most of the original posts (there have been occasional clean-ups of content). For more recent articles etc. please visit andrewmaynard.net. And thanks for visiting!
BROWSE THE ARCHIVE
New horizons – Goodby DC; hello University of Michigan
As many of you will have picked up from recent blogs, I am moving on from my position as Chief Science Advisor to the Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies. From April 1, I will be taking up the post of Director of the University of Michigan Risk Science Center. This...
“I’m a Scientist…” – Seriously addictive science engagement!
The website "I'm a Scientist - Get me out of here" should come with a government warning - something along the lines of "Visiting this site could seriously disrupt your professional, social and personal live while altering your perceptions on getting kids hooked on...
The UK Nanotechnologies Strategy – disappointing
Ten years ago, President Clinton laid the foundation stone of the current global Nanotechnology Initiative. In a speech given at at Caltech, he announced the formation of the US National Nanotechnology Initiative, and set a chain of events in motion that has led to...
UK nanotech strategy – unavailable due to technical difficulties
It seems the UK government Department for Business, Innovation and Skills is having a "leaves on the track" moment this morning (a scathing cultural reference, for those of you Brits too young to remember!). The newly-minted UK nanotechnology strategy - launched...
Engaging the public on science? Surely you’re joking!
I was at a meeting a couple of weeks ago where engaging the public (or "publics" to be more accurate) in science came up. In the course of discussions, I mentioned an initiative by Research Councils UK to involve members of the public in developing a call for...
British Science in the 21st century: The Royal Society on securing Britain’s future prosperity
It's a week for significant science reports. Following hot on the heels of the UK Expert Group on Science and Trust's report on Monday comes what could well be a seminal work on science in 21st century Britain from the Royal Society. In "The scientific century:...
New report on Science and Trust emphasizes acknowledging risk and uncertainty
A new report released today from the UK Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) Expert Group on Science and Trust emphasizes the need to address risk and uncertainty in developing and using science and technology within society. "Acknowledging risk and...
Why we need technology ratchets
A lot of things keep me up at night - everything from the trivial ("did I remember to brush my teeth?") to the to the profound ("does it matter?" ). But recently, I've been plagued more than usual in the wee small hours by the challenge of developing sustainable and...
Nanotechnology and cancer treatment: Do we need a reality check?
Cancer treatment has been a poster-child for nanotechnology for almost as long as I’ve been involved with the field. As far back as in 1999, a brochure on nanotechnology published by the US government described future “synthetic anti-body-like nanoscale drugs or...
US government kicks nanotechnology safety research up a gear
It looks like the US is heading for some serious action on addressing the safe development and use of nanotechnology-enabled materials, products and processes in 2011. Reading through the just-released National Nanotechnology Initiative's (NNI) Supplement to the...