Instructions to Small Discussion Groups
Small-group Discussion 1: The Changing Landscape
Objective(s):
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Highlight the connections between today's institutional and operational infrastructure for research and forces that influenced their development.
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Explore the ways in which the research infrastructure might evolve as the aspirations and expectations of society, government, and the research community change and interact over time.
Questions for Discussion:
How have the traditional aspirations and expectations of society, government, and the research community interacted?
In what ways have these interactions influenced the development of today's institutional and operational infrastructure for research?
As these aspirations and expectations change, what new interactions might be experienced?
What do such interactions portend for the research infrastructure? What changes can be foreseen?
Tasks:
Select a spokesperson and perhaps a scribe (not necessarily the same individual).
Help the spokesperson prepare a five-minute summary of the group's observations on the questions listed above.
Time Limit:
Your small group has 90 minutes to explore the issues listed above.
Small-group Discussion 2: Refocusing the Research Community
Objective(s):
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Discuss whether or not the research community should re-focus itself consciously to serve defined social goals.
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Identify what might be gained and what might be lost as a result of this re-focusing from a number of perspectives.
Questions for Discussion:
From a societal perspective, what might be gained and what might be lost by expecting the research community consciously to serve defined social goals?
From a governmental perspective, what might be gained and what might be lost by expecting the research community consciously to serve defined social goals?
From a research community perspective, what might be gained and what might be lost by expecting the community consciously to serve defined social goals?
On balance, should the research community re-focus its efforts consciously to serve defined social goals in addition to seeking knowledge as a general good?
Tasks:
Select a spokesperson and perhaps a scribe (not necessarily the same individual).
Help the spokesperson prepare a ten-minute summary of the group's observations on the questions listed above.
In your report, emphasize the perspective that your group's membership especially qualifies you to address, but feel free to offer other perspectives as well.
Time Limit:
Your small group has 90 minutes to explore the issues listed above.
Small-group Discussion 3: Prospects for Change
Objective(s):
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Suggest ways and means by which change can be brought about within the research community and in the relationship between the community, government, and society.
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Explore ideas for broadening the involvement in discussions about the ideas around which this convocation was organized.
Questions for Discussion:
Are the changes required by society and government of the research community fundamental or incremental?
Over what period of time is it reasonable to suppose that these changes can be made?
By what means should change in the research community be effected?
How can the discussion about the need for change, the degree of change, and the means for change be broadened across the nation?
Tasks:
Select a spokesperson and perhaps a scribe (not necessarily the same individual).
Help the spokesperson prepare a five-minute summary of the group's observations on the questions listed above.
Time Limit:
Your small group has 90 minutes to explore the issues listed above.
