Charles Vest: Support for Education and Research Needed to Prevent “National Nightmare”

The United States needs to take steps quickly to remain competitive in the global economy, Charles M. Vest, president of the National Academy of Engineering, warned in a lecture at the annual AAAS Forum on Science and Technology Policy. “A national nightmare could be unfolding,” Vest said during the annual William D. Carey Lecture. “It doesn’t have to happen. It is the 11th hour, however, but this nightmare still need not materialize. Indeed, I actually don’t believe it will materialize. But we must get started now on a strategic agenda for the long haul.”

Vest gave the Carey lecture as part of the 36th annual AAAS Forum on Science and Technology Policy held 5-6 May in Washington, D.C. The lecture honors the late William D. Carey, who had served as AAAS executive officer and publisher of Science for 12 years.

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