What It Might Take to Tackle the Most Important Problems
What can universities, governments, journals, and private funders of research do to ensure they are making the greatest possible efforts toward solving society’s most pressing issues? The Chronicle asked experts for their suggestions. Here is a sampling of the steps they proposed: Develop statistical approaches to identify the social problems that are most important and most worthy of intensive translational research. Who could do it: universities and foundations. Reward "project-based solutions" that reduce the dominance of departmental structures that inhibit interdisciplinary work.