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#305 AAAS Update; Science/Sustaining Collaboration; Franklin Tao Lawsuit; Johns Hopkins ACF

In This Issue #305

·       Updates from the American Association for the Advancement of Science

·       FP: Science Could Be a Bright Spot in U.S.-China Relations

·       Sustaining Scientific Collaboration Amid Worsening US–China Relations

·       University Daily Kansan on Franklin Tao Lawsuit

·       02/03 Launch of ACF Institute at SAIS, Johns Hopkins University

·       News and Activities for the Communities

 

Updates from the American Association for the Advancement of Science

 

 

Dr. Sudip Parikh is Chief Executive Officer of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS); Executive Publisher of the Science family of journals.  Sudip last spoke at the September 2023 APA Justice monthly meeting covering open science, basic research, and US-China collaboration in today's environment. He returned to give an update on the latest activities and developments of AAAS during the APA Justice monthly meeting on January 6, 2025.AAAS was the first permanent organization established to promote the development of science and engineering at the national level and to represent the interests of all its disciplines.  Sudip emphasized the significance of leading an organization with a storied history since 1848, stating that it gives “a sense of perspective” about the evolution of science in the United States.Sudip noted the symbolic power of his role as a first-generation immigrant of Indian descent leading the AAAS. Reflecting on the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965, he remarked, “I wouldn’t exist without [it]… several of us would not exist.” This underscored the importance of inclusivity in science leadership. He acknowledged the organization's historical challenges: "When AAAS was formed in 1848, it was by 87 men—white men only—because that was the demographic practicing science at the time.” Today, AAAS reflects diversity in gender, race, and geography, with a majority-female board, which he described as a hopeful sign of progress.Acknowledging the complex challenges of the next two years, including divisive policy and rhetoric, Sudip found inspiration in AAAS’s history of overcoming its "baggage"; and shameful moments. “An organization that can evolve… can rise above and continue to advance science.”

 

On Global Science Diplomacy and Collaboration:

 

1.     U.S.-China Science and Technology Agreement: This long-standing agreement, renewed for five years over the holidays, symbolizes critical cooperation. Sudip highlighted the new focus on reciprocity and transparency, which were absent in the 1979 framework. He described the renewal as "a good agreement” and crucial for fostering future collaborations.

2.     India and Immigration Policy: Sudip’s visit to India highlighted the strong scientific ties between the two nations. He also addressed controversies surrounding H-1B visas, particularly on social media. “It turns out two things can be right at the same time—a program can be really important, and it can need to be reformed.” He encouraged constructive discussions on immigration policy reform.

3.     Japan and Collaboration: During his visit to Japan, Sudip discussed the challenges of scientific collaboration despite the close alliance between the U.S. and Japan. He stressed the importance of distinguishing economic decisions from cultural signals, advocating for open and active collaboration in science.

4.     Science Diplomacy Efforts: Sudip reaffirmed AAAS’s commitment to Track II diplomacy, which maintains dialogue even in strained geopolitical climates. He emphasized fostering long-term relationships, especially among junior scientists, to sustain international cooperation for decades.

 

AAAS Annual MeetingSudip previewed the upcoming AAAS Annual Meeting in Boston (February 13–15), themed Science Shaping Tomorrow. He noted the event’s focus on international collaboration and breakthroughs of the year, particularly the development of a small-molecule drug providing six-month protection against HIV transmission. “It’s not a vaccine, but it’s as close as we’ve ever gotten,” he noted.Vision for American Science and TechnologySudip discussed his role as chair of a task force developing a new vision for American science and technology—Endless Frontier 2.0, referencing Vannevar Bush’s seminal 1945 report. Recognizing changes since 1945, Sudip said, “Vannevar Bush never imagined me,” emphasizing the increased role of diversity, philanthropy, and international parity in modern science.This updated vision will be released in late February, featuring multimedia formats to spark national conversations. Sudip reminded listeners of the historical precedent, noting that the original Endless Frontier was initially rejected and took five years of debate before leading to the National Science Foundation. He called for similar discussions today, concluding, “It’s time for an update… to look forward, not backward.”Sudip closed by reaffirming AAAS’s dedication to advancing science and fostering collaboration globally.  He emphasized the importance of maintaining dialogue, covering critical issues like immigration and international relations, and inspiring the next generation to continue building bridges through science.

 

A summary for the January 6 monthly meeting is being prepared at this time.

 

 

FP: Science Could Be a Bright Spot in U.S.-China Relations

 

 

On January 16, 2025, a Foreign Policy report highlights the renewal of the U.S.-China Science and Technology Agreement (STA), a longstanding pact that has underpinned bilateral scientific collaboration since 1979. The updated agreement, extended for another five years, is limited to basic research and incorporates new safeguards addressing intellectual property and researcher safety concerns. However, it explicitly excludes sensitive areas like artificial intelligence and quantum computing, reflecting rising national security concerns and intensifying U.S.-China technological competition.The report underscores the mounting challenges in scientific collaboration due to China’s military-civil fusion policy and espionage concerns, which have raised fears in Washington about the potential misuse of joint research for military advancements. Additionally, China’s increasingly restrictive information environment and limited transparency in research-sharing practices have cast doubt on the equity and mutual benefit of such collaborations.Amid these developments, the STA’s renewal marks a cautious continuation of scientific diplomacy. Yet, the broader relationship between the two nations remains strained, particularly in the tech sector, where the U.S. has enacted export controls and promoted domestic production to counter China’s advancements. While the agreement aims to maintain dialogue and cooperation, its future impact will depend on navigating geopolitical and strategic tensions.

 

*****According to an opinion of the China-based China Daily on January 11, 2025, the signing of a protocol by China and the United States recently to amend and extend the US-China Science and Technology Agreement is a crucial development given the fraught geopolitical relationship between the world's two largest economies.Originally signed in 1979 by former US president Jimmy Carter and former Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping, the agreement coincided with the resumption of academic exchanges between the two countries. Following the signing of a 1978 memorandum of understanding on student and scholar exchanges — the first official agreement between the two governments — 52 Chinese students departed from Beijing to the US, with American students arriving in China two months later.The number of Chinese students in the US has declined for the fifth consecutive academic year. According to the Open Doors Report, published by the Institute of International Education in partnership with the US Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, the number of Chinese students had fallen from 372,532 in 2019-20 to 277,398 in 2023-24.The careers of the "Beijing Eight" — the first group of American students to enroll in Chinese universities in February 1979 — exemplify the profound impact of early academic exchanges. Figures such as Madelyn Ross, former president of the US-China Education Trust; Frank Hawke, former China director of Stanford University Graduate School of Business; and Stephen Allee, curator of Chinese art at the Smithsonian Institution, highlight the importance of these programs in shaping future leaders and fostering international collaboration.

 

Diplomacy, after all, begins in classrooms, lecture halls and research labs — places where future leaders learn to see the world through each other's eyes. It is a bridge worth preserving.

 

 

Sustaining Scientific Collaboration Amid Worsening US–China Relations

 

 

According to the University of California at San Diego (UC San Diego) School of Global Policy and Strategy on January 16, 2025, a recent commentary in Nature, coauthored by six senior scientists from the United States and China, calls for renewed efforts to protect and expand scientific collaboration between the two nations amid growing geopolitical tensions. The authors, including David Victor of UC San Diego, stress that U.S.–China cooperation has historically produced transformative global benefits, such as advancements in clean energy and medicine. However, they note that restrictive visa policies, political friction, and the COVID-19 pandemic have led to a sharp decline in student exchanges and joint research efforts.The authors highlight the limitations of the recently renewed U.S.–China Science and Technology Agreement (STA), which excludes collaboration in security-sensitive fields and focuses solely on basic science. They advocate for a more comprehensive framework to address shared global challenges like climate change, public health, and sustainable development. For example, the number of Chinese students in the U.S. has dropped from nearly 400,000 in 2019-2020 to under 300,000 in 2021-2022, while U.S. student exchanges to China have fallen from a peak of 15,000 in 2012-2013 to fewer than 1,000 in 2022-2023.

 

The Nature commentary offers several solutions to increase collaboration in the face of challenging times, such as:

 

·       Identifying “safe zones”: Collaboration should focus on less sensitive fields like polar science and cosmology. These areas could offer less blowback compared to research on machine intelligence or pharmacology. Scientists need to identify and champion these “safe zones” to reduce political interference.

·       Securing funding: Federal and philanthropic organizations should offer reliable funding mechanisms for cross-border research. The U.S. Chips and Science Act, for example, prohibits individuals receiving federal research funding from participating in “Malign Foreign Talent Recruitment Programs.” The authors argue that “when funders take on these dual roles — supporters and punishers — it becomes harder for scientists to secure reliable funding for work involving cross-border collaborations.”

·       Making the case for collaboration: Scientists must communicate the benefits of collaboration to policymakers, the public and funding agencies, countering nationalist narratives and fostering mutual understanding. “Scientists must better explain the benefits of joint work, root out and combat cases of mistreatment, racism and alienation, and restore science to its true purpose: a global pursuit of ideas that benefits from collective progress, not nationalism,” the authors write. 

 

Read the UC San Diego report: https://bit.ly/4hmHuNg.  Read the Nature commentary: https://go.nature.com/3WqCUpf

 

 

University Daily Kansan on Franklin Tao Lawsuit

 

 

 

On January 17, 2025, the University Daily Kansan reported on a lawsuit Professor Franklin Tao filed against the university, alleging discrimination and wrongful termination following his prosecution under the now-defunct "China Initiative."The lawsuit claims that a visiting scholar at KU demanded $300,000 from Tao, threatening to report him to the FBI when he refused. Following the scholar's false accusations, KU reported Tao to the FBI without conducting its own investigation. The lawsuit further claims that the university collaborated closely with the FBI and DOJ, with evidence collected by KU forming the basis of the eventual charges against him.Text messages obtained by Tao’s legal team reportedly show close communication between KU’s then-deputy general counsel and FBI agents, including one exchange where the counsel referred to the agents as “my Wonder Twins,” to which the agents replied, “Ok mom.” Another message sent after Tao’s arrest allegedly stated, “Job well done, gentlemen.”The University Daily Kansan is an independent student newspaper established in 1904.  It has long been a key source of news and analysis for the KU community, covering campus and university-related issues.Read the University Daily Kansan report: https://bit.ly/4gbX9OM

 

 

02/03 Launch of ACF Institute at SAIS, Johns Hopkins University


 

 

On February 3, 2025, the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) will launch the Institute for America, China, and the Future of Global Affairs (ACF). This new institute seeks to add rigor and reason to public and policy discussions on China and the range of domestic and international issues that intersect China’s global role, bringing together experts and practitioners to foster informed public dialogue, promote evidence-based research, and support the next generation of scholars and practitioners.  The event will be held at Johns Hopkins SAIS, 555 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001.This day-long event will include sessions on what’s at stake in U.S. policy making on China, the Chinese economy, artificial intelligence and emerging threats to U.S. interests, and a new report on "Getting China Right at Home," analyzing the domestic challenges posed by intensifying competition.Jessica Chen Weiss will serve as the inaugural Director of ACF.  She is also the David M. Lampton Professor of China Studies at Johns Hopkins SAIS. Prior to joining Johns Hopkins, Weiss was the Michael J. Zak Professor for China and Asia-Pacific Studies at Cornell University's Department of Government. For more information and registration to attend the event, visit: https://bit.ly/4am8fPG

 

News and Activities for the Communities

 

1.   APA Justice Community Calendar

 

 

Upcoming Events:2025/02/02 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall Meeting2025/02/03 APA Justice Monthly Meeting2025/02/03 Getting China Right: Launch of ACF Institute at SAIS, Johns Hopkins University2025/02/13-15 2025 AAAS Annual Meeting2025/02/16 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall Meeting2025/03/02 Rep. Gene Wu's Town Hall Meeting2025/03/03 APA Justice Monthly MeetingVisit https://bit.ly/3XD61qV for event details.

 

 

2. Get Help Today on LA Fires

Californians can go to CA.gov/LAfires – a hub for information and resources from state, local and federal government.  Individuals and business owners who sustained losses from wildfires in Los Angeles County can apply for disaster assistance:

 

·       Online at DisasterAssistance.gov

·       Calling 800-621-3362

·       By using the FEMA smart phone application

·       Assistance is available in over 40 languages

·       If you use a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA the number for that service.

 

Please share with your families, friends, and colleagues in the Los Angeles area.

 

 

3. NIH Developments

 

 

 

National Institutes of Health (NIH) Director Monica Bertagnolli resigned on January 17, 2025, ending her tenure as the head of the $48 billion biomedical research agency after one year. According to Science on January 16, 2025, after over three years of organizing, early-career researchers at NIH have secured the first union contract at a federal research institution. The contract, covering around 5,000 graduate students, postdocs, and post-baccalaureates, includes paid parental leave, harassment protections, work hour limits, and a 40-hour workweek baseline. It also promises pay increases—raising graduate stipends to $50,400 and postdoc pay to $68,544—but these raises won't start until 2026.The deal, approved by the Department of Health and Human Services, guarantees up to $1,500 in relocation benefits, professional development time, gender-neutral restrooms, and remote work accommodations. While the pay increases depend on congressional appropriations and could be delayed, the contract is seen as a significant victory, especially in high-cost areas like Washington, D.C.This agreement may set a precedent for other institutions, encouraging similar pay and benefit negotiations. Despite frustrations over delays and uncertainties, union members view the contract as a major achievement that provides stability in the face of potential federal changes.Read the Science report: https://bit.ly/4h5y09x

January 20, 2025

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