Illustrating the Impact of the Mathematical Sciences

数学科学研究的长期影响往往很难跟踪、衡量和交流。因此，寻求理解和评估基础研究价值的研究人员或政策制定者可能无法充分认识到其影响。此外，强调数学发现最终如何导致科学发现或政策变化的故事很少被识别出来，并向普通受众传播。识别和交流这些故事将增加研究界对数学科学价值的认识，鼓励政策制定者支持对数学科学的长期投资，并帮助数学科学研究人员更好地了解他们的工作如何与其他领域联系起来，往往是以意想不到的方式。这样的材料将为研究社区提供资源，解释数学科学在包括美国经济、国家安全、卫生和医学以及其他科学、工程和技术领域在内的各种部门中的作用和贡献。这些故事还将促进利益相关者、政策制定者和研究人员之间的合作和参与，并有助于催化数学科学界倡导和交流他们的工作对国家重要主题的影响。美国国家科学院、工程院和医学委员会数学科学和分析委员会(BMSA)将召开一个具有数学科学和科学传播专业知识的特设委员会，以进行一项研究，以确定和说明数学科学在社会中的广泛影响。为完成研究，BMSA将为特设委员会的组建和运作提供便利，并负责印刷和分发材料。为了确定令人信服的叙述和图表，研究委员会将征求各种利益攸关方的建议，包括数学科学研究的赞助商、研究机构和国家实验室的代表、熟悉数学科学的研究人员和政策制定者。这项研究将为普通受众提供叙事和图表，展示数学科学在美国经济、国家安全、健康和医学以及其他科学、工程和技术领域的基础作用。这些叙述和图表将汇总在为政策制定者设计的小册子中，并改编为网络互动信息图。此外，这项研究还将编写一份简短的协商一致报告和一系列公开网络研讨会，以便进一步解释和探讨所讨论的专题。这些材料可以用来向学生、教育工作者、政策制定者、科学家、工程师和其他利益相关者传达数学发现的意义。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

The long-term impact of research in the mathematical sciences is often difficult to track, measure, and communicate. As a result, researchers or policymakers seeking to understand and assess the value of basic research may not fully appreciate the impact. In addition, stories highlighting how a mathematical discovery eventually leads to scientific discovery or a change in policy are infrequently identified and communicated for a general audience. Identifying and communicating these stories will increase appreciation for the value of mathematical sciences within research communities, encourage policymakers to support long-term investments in the mathematical sciences, and help mathematical sciences researchers better understand how their work connects to other domains, often in unexpected ways. Materials such as these will be a resource for research communities in explaining the roles and contributions of the mathematical sciences in a variety of sectors including the U.S. economy, national security, health and medicine, and other science, engineering, and technology domains. The stories will also improve collaboration among, and engagement of, stakeholders, policymakers, and researchers and help catalyze the mathematical science communities to advocate for and communicate the impact of their work on topics of national importance.The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine's Board on Mathematical Sciences and Analytics (BMSA) will convene an ad hoc committee with expertise in the mathematical sciences and science communication to conduct a study that will identify and illustrate the broad impact of the mathematical sciences in society. To complete the study, BMSA will facilitate the formation and operations of the ad hoc committee and will be responsible for printing and distribution of materials. To identify compelling narratives and graphics, the study committee will solicit suggestions from various stakeholders, including sponsors of research in the mathematical sciences, representatives from research institutes and national laboratories, researchers, and policymakers familiar with the mathematical sciences. The study will generate narratives and graphics for general audiences that demonstrate the fundamental role of the mathematical sciences in the U.S. economy, national security, health and medicine, and other science, engineering, and technology domains. These narratives and graphics will be summarized in a brochure designed for policymakers and adapted as a Web interactive infographic. In addition, the study will produce a short consensus report and a public webinar series for further explanation and exploration of the topics that are discussed. These materials can be used to convey the significance of mathematical discoveries to students, educators, policymakers, scientists, engineers, and other stakeholders.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.