Undoing the Double-Cross: Promoting Public Accountability in American Science Agencies

The leadership and advisory boards of American science agencies are largely organized according to the ideas set forth by an influential scientist, Dr. Vannevar Bush, after World War II. Although publicly funded, only experts control what research is funded how each agency operates. Wielding his unique position power war, Bush suppressed adversary, Senator Harley Kilgore, resulting in absence public accountability citizen input that defines today. We argue citizens must have a seat at table promote trust science, reduce inequity, increase efficiency, embrace democratic principles, address needs people. By providing mechanism for non-expert influence direction agencies, Congress can now finally rectify double-cross Kilgore Bush.