For Stanford president Donald Kennedy, the last year has brought trying times. In the last 12 months, Stanford has investigated one of its professors for scientific misconduct, battled community groups opposed to the construction of two new research buildings (The Scientist, November 28, 1988, page 1), and suffered a mutiny by scientists in the Center for International Security and Arms Control over the control of academic appointments.
Kennedy believes that some of these incidents are symptoms of deeper problems facing university scientists - and science itself - in the United States, problems that range from widespread scientific illiteracy to increasing demands on researchers' time. And the 57-year-old biologist and university president has been concerned enough about these issues to become a peripatetic and tireless spokesman for science.
Stanford's president has a long history of both interest in science policy and ties to Stanford. He arrived at the university in 1960...
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