The acting director of the NSF, Cora Marrett, has responded to Representative Lamar Smith's request to justify awarding particular social science research grants. She refused to provide reviewer comments citing that anonymity is necessary for the review process to work.
In this article in Science, however, it is apparent that the fight to keep research funding oversight in the hands of experts is far from over. It is important to consider the implications of congressional intervention: who is qualified to decide what type of research will improve our safety or expand the economy? And more importantly, will stricter definitions protect our academic investments or just stifle innovation?
Follow this story as it continues to develop and decide on what purpose academia should be driving for: expanding knowledge or delivering societal results.
