Researchers must be “global citizen scientists” — aware of both new knowledge and the needs of society — according to Neal Lane, science adviser to US President Bill Clinton.

In a speech delivered on his behalf by Bruce Alberts, president of the National Academy of Sciences, Lane said that “in their new capacity of ‘civic scientist’, scientists and engineers must step outside of their campuses, laboratories and institutes to engage in an active dialogue with their fellow citizens”.

Scientists need to look beyond intriguing research questions and examine the ways in which new scientific knowledge may be best used by society, Lane said.

This, he added, means that scientists need to communicate with — and listen to — the public. “There is a great need for the public to have a better understanding of science. But there is an equally great need for scientists to have a better understanding of the public.”