Indira Samarasekera calls for more effective collaboration among universities, governments and the private sector in her Opinion article (Nature 462, 160–161; 2009). Her arguments are not new — they have been central to research policy and sociology of science debates for more than 60 years (see, for example, V. Bush Science: The Endless Frontier US Office of Scientific Research and Development; 1945).
Today's tools for efficient literature searches are on hand to prevent old debates from continually resurfacing. Keeping track of developing ideas by conscientious referencing is essential. Then, to act upon what has been learned, we must remember. As scientists, we remember collectively through cited publications.
This particular debate is important because it challenges the very core of science by discussing how and why knowledge is made, used and mobilized. We should be drawing on the valuable insights from previous decades in our attempts to set a new social contract for science.
