Dear College of Science Faculty and Staff,
Welcome to AY24-25!!
I get emotional seeing all the new students in Boston, and knowing there are many more across our global university. Every student is entrusted to us for their important, exciting Northeastern University experiential education, and it’s a huge, wonderful responsibility.
So let me extend an enormous THANK YOU to every college member advising, teaching, mentoring, organizing, and keeping track of the thousands of Northeastern University College of Science undergraduates, Master’s or PhD students joining or continuing in our College this year, whether in Boston or at one of our global campuses. THANK YOU for teaching science to thousands more students across other colleges. THANK YOU.
What a fantastic beginning to the week! From the vibrant undergraduate Convocation to our own excellent COS Welcome and Orientation sessions, this year including programs for UG, MS and PhD students. THANK YOU to everyone involved! THANK YOU to each department and program for organizing your own welcomes. We mean every welcome, so that each student understands We are a Diverse College where Everyone Belongs.
In several sessions, I had the pleasure of saying a personal hello. My message was consistent and sincere: choosing training in science is a brilliant career move for every student, at every level. I explained to each student that they are part of the Good Power of Science, our unique tagline, and asked: what is the Good Power of Science, responding that this means:
- Our research is responsible and framed within ethical principles
- Our research will have a positive impact on society, to promote a sustainable, healthy and equitable future.
- Every student is educated in ethical principles, understands their responsibility, and has a respectful mindset
- Ethical, responsible principles underlie our work, study and research across everyone in the College of Science.
The good outcomes of science research, often across disciplines, are hard to overstate. But there are roadblocks that sometimes prevent science and scientists from contributing to the greater good. We must face the truth that historical misapplication of science in biomedical research, nuclear physics, and synthetic chemistry, to name a few, have harmed humans and the environment. Research misconduct, bias, fraud, academic dishonesty, and plagiarism undermine scientific process and diminish public trust in science. Failures in communicating science and lack of consideration of community needs and viewpoints limit what the Good Power of Science can accomplish. Ethical guardrails and training in responsible conduct of research are essential. It's worth detailing what we mean by the Good Power of Science, so we may apply our best abilities to implement this ethos across our work. I welcome your further thoughts.
Entering Week Two, my warm wishes to everyone.