New Research Opportunities in the Earth Sciences at the National Science Foundation

自从十年前NRC的报告《地球科学中的基础研究机会》开始以来，地质科学发生了很大的变化。这项名为“国家科学基金会的新地球科学研究机会”的新项目具有相同的目标，并将使用与前一项研究相同的方法，在NSF耳边确定并提出关于下一代基础研究机会的建议。专家委员会将被要求就新的研究机会达成共识，并将通过出版的文献、科学家在委员会会议上的投入以及在地球科学主要会议上举行的专题讨论会，例如AGU和GSA的年度会议，为其审议工作提供帮助。地球科学家倾向于在专门子学科中从事非常具体的项目。这些项目背后的基础研究问题通常是以技术术语暗示或陈述的。要想超越这些子学科来开发可能推动整个领域的下一代研究机会，将是具有挑战性的。这项研究将寻求通过仔细选择一个地球科学专家委员会来克服这一挑战。委员会成员将是备受尊敬的个人，他们以思维广泛和超越个人专长而闻名。其中一些人将成为美国国家科学院院士。这份报告的更广泛的影响是向非专家传达地球科学的重要性，包括国会议员、大学管理者和普通公众。这些小组的成员可能对地球科学的复杂性和激动人心的理解并不复杂。广泛传播NRC的最终报告可能会增加该领域的知名度和资金。

Much has changed in the geological sciences since the NRC's report "Basic Research Opportunities in the Earth Sciences" which started ten years ago. This new project, "New Earth Science Research Opportunities at the National Science Foundation," has the same objectives and will use the same methods as the previous study to identify and make recommendations about the next generation of basic research opportunities at the NSF's EAR. A committee of experts will be asked to come to a consensus on new research opportunities and it will be aided in its deliberations by published literature, input from scientists at committee meetings, as well as through symposia held at major Earth science meetings, e.g., annual meetings of the AGU and GSA. Earth scientists tend to work on highly specific projects in specialized subdisciplines. The fundamental research questions underlying these projects are often implied or stated in technical terms. It will be challenging to think beyond these subdisciplines to develop the next generation of research opportunities likely to drive the field as a whole. This study will seek to overcome this challenge by careful choice of a committee of experts in the Earth sciences. Committee members will be well-respected individuals who have a reputation of thinking broadly and beyond their individual specialties. Some will be members of the National Academy of Sciences. The broader impact of this report is to communicate the importance of Earth science to nonspecialists, including members of Congress, university administrators, and the general public. Members of these groups may not have a sophisticated understanding of the complexity and excitement of Earth science. A wide dissemination of the final NRC report may increase the visibility of and funding for the field.