Macroscience, an initiative focused on the organization and improvement of science, has officially relaunched with Andrew M. Gerard taking the helm. The announcement was made by Tim Hwang, a senior fellow and original founder, who stated in a recent social media post, "> Macroscience is relaunched with @andrewmgerard at the helm! Glad to send it on its way with some reflections on whether metascience as a research field can navigate an era of ferocious change in American science and scientific institutions." The relaunch aims to broaden the platform's scope and community engagement in the evolving landscape of American science.
Originally conceived by Tim Hwang, Macroscience operated as a newsletter and podcast series exploring the principles of government's role in shaping science, akin to macroeconomics for financial systems. Hwang's initial vision centered on the concept of "metascience," a field dedicated to studying and improving the scientific process itself. The platform previously hosted interviews with leading metascience thinkers and produced the "Metascience 101" podcast.
Andrew Gerard, a social scientist with extensive experience in international science policy, now leads the initiative. Prior to his new role, Gerard served as Deputy Director of the Research Division at the US Agency for International Development (USAID) and held positions in higher education and non-profits. His background positions him to guide Macroscience in its mission to explore innovative models for funding and conducting scientific research.
The relaunch comes at a critical juncture for American scientific institutions, which Gerard describes as "increasingly cautious and bureaucratic" amidst rapid political and technological shifts. Macroscience seeks to address whether these institutions, largely structured after World War II, can adapt to contemporary challenges such as budget cuts and the rise of artificial intelligence. The platform intends to provide an optimistic yet plausible vision for the future of scientific progress.
Under Gerard's leadership, Macroscience will explore a wider range of ideas for improving science and policy, featuring contributions from a diverse community of writers, scientists, and policy entrepreneurs. Key questions to be examined include the future of government's relationship with American research universities, simplifying federal science policy, and the potential for negative marginal returns to science funding. The initiative aims to foster an experimental ethos, challenging assumptions and fostering debate within the metascience community.