The first issue of The Scientist, published on Oct. 20, 1986, covered a story on the appointment of William Graham as presidential science advisor after a nine-month search. Today, after 10 months of the Bush presidency, the appointment of James Marbuger as Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy is as yet unconfirmed. Both then and now, science, though recognized as one of the key engines of the economic strength of this country, still lacks the political clout that it surely deserves and requires.
Also in our first issue was a salary survey that concluded that the median salary for research scientists was between $50,000 and $60,000 per year. Our recent, much larger survey found a median salary for life scientists of $55,000. (The Scientist, 15[18]:30 Sept. 17, 2001). Admittedly there are differences in sample and methodology, but nevertheless, the lack of progress in 15 years is striking.
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