Join Professor Heidi Williams, an expert in metascience research career paths, Matt Clancy, an innovation economist, and Professor Paul Niehaus, who bridges academic and non-academic worlds. They dive into navigating diverse career pathways in metascience, emphasizing the crucial link between research and policy. Discover the importance of mentorship, supportive communities, and finding use-inspired questions. Learn how to transform academic insights into impactful actions, shaping the future of science in various sectors.

Derek Thompson, a journalist at The Atlantic, teams up with Eli Dourado, an economist at the Center for Growth and Opportunity. They dive into the challenges surrounding the diffusion of new ideas versus invention. Is it getting harder to find innovative concepts? They discuss how crises can catalyze effective implementation and the significance of navigating obstacles to scientific breakthroughs. Additionally, they analyze the importance of equitable development in technology and the need for innovative approaches to drug approvals.

Dylan Matthews, a journalist at Vox, leads a compelling discussion with Alexander Berger, co-CEO of Open Philanthropy, and Tyler Cowen, a George Mason University professor. They dive into the critical relationship between scientific institutions and political legitimacy, exploring how funding affects public perception. The trio also tackles the complexities of research funding, the significant role of immigration in scientific progress, and the need for innovative funding strategies. Expect insights on how cultural narratives and geographic diversity shape the future of science.

Dylan Matthews, a journalist known for his insights on economics, joins experts Tyler Cowen, a professor at George Mason University, Matt Clancy, and Jacob Trefethen from Open Philanthropy. They dive into the balancing act between scientific advancement and safety, using historical case studies to illustrate their points. Discussions cover the dual-edged nature of innovation, ethical responsibilities in frontier science, and the risks associated with AI competition. They emphasize the importance of effective risk management to harness the benefits of scientific progress.

Join Professors Heidi Williams and Paul Niehaus, along with Emily Oehlsen from Open Philanthropy and Jim Savage from Schmidt Futures, as they unravel the art of experimentation in metascience. Discover how careful evaluation can inform policy-making and improve research quality. They tackle the complexities of impact evaluations, share insights from the RISE program on identifying talent through innovative methods, and discuss the importance of evidence-based practices in philanthropy for real-world change.

Tyler Cowen, an economics professor, shares insights alongside Patrick Hsu, co-founder of the Arc Institute, and Adam Marblestone, CEO of Convergent Research. They explore the transformative power of new funding models like Fast Grants and Flexible Research Organizations, emphasizing their role in fostering innovation. The conversation also highlights the necessity for evolving scientific practices in response to modern challenges, particularly how startup culture invigorates research. They discuss the collaboration needed in life sciences and the impact of AI on scientific breakthroughs.

In this engaging discussion, Kelsey Piper talks with Adam Marblestone, CEO of Convergent Research, and Paul Niehaus, an economics professor and co-founder of GiveDirectly. They delve into the complex factors influencing scientific production, from funding ecosystems to selecting impactful research questions. The trio emphasizes the importance of innovative funding and the cultural dynamics within science. They also explore the balance between academic convention and groundbreaking research, advocating for clearer communication to enhance public trust in science.

Join economist Matt Clancy, Stripe co-founder Patrick Collison, and OpenPhil CEO Alexander Berger as they explore whether scientific progress is really slowing down. They discuss the challenges in measuring scientific breakthroughs, revealing a paradox of increasing funding yet declining impact. The conversation dives into how historical evidence, evolving practices, and innovations like AI may influence future advancements. With insights on institutional reforms and diverse funding, they argue for a renewed focus on enhancing scientific productivity.

Heidi Williams, an economist focused on the science landscape in America, joins Caleb Watney, co-founder of IFP, to delve into metascience. They critique the current state of U.S. science, assigning it a B minus grade, and discuss how collaborative approaches are transforming research. The conversation explores innovative funding models beyond traditional peer review, emphasizing the balance between pharmaceutical innovation and pricing. They also highlight the importance of evidence-based decision-making for enhancing scientific methodologies.

This week on the Macroscience podcast: an interview with Jon Askonas, a senior fellow at the Foundation for American Innovation and an assistant professor of politics at the Catholic University of America. Inspired in part by “Technological Stagnation is a Choice” — Jon’s terrific review of Vaclav Smil’s Invention and Innovation — I wanted to have Jon on the show to think through the ideological underpinnings of the movement around progress and abundance. We discuss metascience as a technocratic endeavor, the aesthetics of progress, the fundamental irrationality of breakthrough innovations, and why progress needs to bring greater moral force to its visions for the future. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.macroscience.org