Advances in scientific advances are manifested in many different ways, from the spontaneous comprehension of a new way of looking at the universe as typified by Albert Einstein’s theory of relativity, to the prolonged and often agonizing study of a perplexing phenomenon as represented by the work by Max Planck that led to the discovery of energy quantization. Modern civilization is indeed built of the foundations of such great discoveries, but recent policy changes are making it near impossible for would-be successors to discover the new sciences that will stimulate new levels of economic growth and prosperity. In his new book “Scientific Freedom: The Elixir of Civilization” (Wiley-Blackwell; February 2008; 175 Pages; $59.95; Paperback; 978-0-470-22654-4; http://www.wiley.com/WileyCDA/WileyTitle/productCd-0470226544.html), Donald W. Braben argues that creativity and the freedom to discover is hindered by lumbering bureaucracies that threaten the very future of civilization.
Dr. Braben outlines the intellectual obstacles facing today’s researchers and discusses what needs to be done to restore the freedom that can transform scientific understanding and enrich our lives. Introducing the concept of transformative research, he explains how an initiative can be designed and implemented, how it could be supported on a national scale, and the importance of launching such initiatives. The book provides insight into the essential steps need to avoid stagnation, including the emergence of altruistic sponsors to help fund research, the establishment of an extensive network of universities that will encourage and foster scientific freedom, and the emergence of industrialists who will convince shareholders that a small proportion of activities should be free of short-term assessment.
“Scientific Freedom: The Elixir of Civilization” offers scientists, industrialists, academics, legislators, and consumers an inspiring analysis of how scientific freedom affects and preserves the very foundations of our civilization.
About the Author:
Donald W. Braben, Ph.D., created and ran the Venture Research initiative, a ten-year experiment sponsored by British Petroleum in the 1980s. Its remit was to identify and support radical, exploratory, and basic research in any field with the sole objective of increasing understanding. He has been a visiting professor at University College London’s Department of Earth Sciences for more than ten years. Earlier, following 16 years as a researcher, first in nuclear structure and later in high-energy physics research, Dr. Braben held senior positions at the Cabinet Office in Whitehall, the Science Research Council in London, and the Bank of England. In addition to numerous papers on nuclear and elementary-particle physics, and articles on science policy, Dr. Braben is the author of “Pioneering Research: A Risk Worth Taking” and “To Be a Scientist.”
About Wiley
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Wiley-Blackwell was formed in February 2007 as a result of the acquisition of Blackwell Publishing Ltd. by John Wiley & Sons, Inc., and its merger with Wiley’s Scientific, Technical, and Medical business. Together, the companies have created a global publishing business with deep strength in every major academic and professional field. Wiley-Blackwell publishes approximately 1,400 scholarly peer-reviewed journals and an extensive collection of books with global appeal. For more information on Wiley-Blackwell, please visit www.blackwellpublishing.com or http://interscience.wiley.com.