The Genesis of Technoscientific Revolutions

Rethinking the Nature and Nurture of Research

Venkatesh Narayanamurti, Jeffrey Y. Tsao

ISBN 9780674251854

Publication date: 11/30/2021

Research powers innovation and technoscientific advance, but it is due for a rethink, one consistent with its deeply holistic nature, requiring deeply human nurturing.

Research is a deeply human endeavor that must be nurtured to achieve its full potential. As with tending a garden, care must be taken to organize, plant, feed, and weed—and the manner in which this nurturing is done must be consistent with the nature of what is being nurtured.

In The Genesis of Technoscientific Revolutions, Venkatesh Narayanamurti and Jeffrey Tsao propose a new and holistic system, a rethinking of the nature and nurturing of research. They share lessons from their vast research experience in the physical sciences and engineering, as well as from perspectives drawn from the history and philosophy of science and technology, research policy and management, and the evolutionary biological, complexity, physical, and economic sciences.

Narayanamurti and Tsao argue that research is a recursive, reciprocal process at many levels: between science and technology; between questions and answer finding; and between the consolidation and challenging of conventional wisdom. These fundamental aspects of the nature of research should be reflected in how it is nurtured. To that end, Narayanamurti and Tsao propose aligning organization, funding, and governance with research; embracing a culture of holistic technoscientific exploration; and instructing people with care and accountability.

Praise

Essential reading. By integrating the previous work of leading science and technology scholars, creating new terminology, concepts, and logical structures, and including concrete examples, these two eminent leaders make a compelling case for rethinking how we understand and nurture research to advance the public good.

—Laura Diaz Anadon, Chaired Professor of Climate Change Policy, University of Cambridge
Enlightening and important. Narayanamurti and Tsao demolish long-accepted tenets of science and technology research by exposing flaws, misconceptions, and anachronisms, then propose a visionary new framework. Invaluable for anyone leading a research enterprise, recruiting talent, or devising new funding mechanisms.

—Nancy Andrews, former Dean of the Duke University School of Medicine
A thought-provoking journey. By transcending widespread but limiting beliefs, The Genesis of Technoscientific Revolutions explores how to better understand research and unleash its potential. Highly recommended for all policy makers and leaders interested in improving the effectiveness of research and developing high-performing research institutions.

—Qi-Kun Xue, Director of the Beijing Academy of Quantum Information Sciences
Highly accomplished researchers Narayanamurti and Tsao synthesize new and old ideas about how science and technology work together, sharing audacious insights that can improve research outcomes. This book will be a rewarding read for all who want to understand innovation and accelerate it.

—John P. Holdren, former Science Advisor to President Obama and Senate-confirmed Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy
A deep examination of how discoveries and innovations have happened in history, and [it] comes up with a set of methods on nurturing research in public-funded institutions and corporate labs. It is a book that is at once dense and insightful, to be read as much by the shop floor scientist as the CEO, by policymakers as much as university professors.

—Hari Pulakkat, Shaastra
A useful contribution to the study of scientific method and should be of considerable interest to anyone interested in the history and/or the philosophy of science (and technology).

—The Complete Review

Authors

Venkatesh Narayanamurti is Benjamin Peirce Professor of Technology and Public Policy Emeritus at Harvard University and former Vice President for Research at Sandia National Laboratories. He is Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and an elected member of the US National Academy of Engineering.
Jeffrey Y. Tsao is Senior Scientist at Sandia National Laboratories. A former executive in charge of research and development in the telecommunications field, he is Fellow of the American Physical Society and of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.