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117

SCIENCE AT THE SMITHSONIAN

Mr. Challinor and various bureau directors presented viewpoints on the processes of scientific research at the Institution.  The discussion concentrated on the nature of science research and the need to heighten the Institution's capability to support these efforts.

In general, while management judgments about directions and priorities have to be made because of limited resources available for the conduct of science research, at the Smithsonian the vast majority of these judgments are made at the bureau director's level, or below, while the very broad research policy directions are left to the Secretary with the advice of the Assistant Secretary for Science.  Decisions on research direction must remain subjective and flexible.  However, the conference participants found value in the suggestion regarding the development and review of goal statements and operational plans by various museums and laboratories to complement the current methods of resource review.  This effort will incorporate research activities in a broad sense, but will not disturb the investigative independence which has served the Institution so well in the past.

The discussions on science were important because they helped to clarify and emphasize the following points:

1.  The Smithsonian is one of the important national focuses for fostering basic research, and is becoming more important as other institutions try to secure funds on the basis of fashionable or applied reasons.  Scientific research is of high priority to the Institution, and must receive greater attention and support.  The fact that basic research is fundamental to the Smithsonian should be underscored, and we should not be bashful about presenting this to the Federal governing bodies or to other funding agencies.

2.  Individual bureau directors decide on priorities and directions for research by interpreting what needs to be done next in building a sense of a coherent community in their