News & Media

US voters head to the polls tomorrow to choose their representatives for Congress, and the results could have consequences for the science agenda laid out by President Joe Biden and his Democratic party. With recent polling favouring Republicans to take control of the House of Representatives and perhaps the Senate, researchers are anticipating reductions in science funding, a renewed focus on research security and heightened congressional scrutiny of science programmes being rolled out by the Biden administration.

Ask Americans about the most important reasons for attending college, and the top considerations they cite are jobs, jobs, and jobs. While there is much to value in the traditional college experience, for the vast majority of students, it comes down to getting a degree that leads to a professionally and financially rewarding job. The evidence is clear: Earning a bachelor’s degree translates into considerably better jobs and earnings opportunities for most graduates. It also correlates with a healthier, longer life.