Systems education can train the next generation of scientists and clinicians

Abstract

In recent years, there has been growing concern about waning interest in science, as despite advances in research and technology, fewer young people seem to be pursuing careers in these fields¹. This decline can be attributed to various factors, including a lack of early engagement, inadequate integration of practical experience and insufficient alignment between educational stages. To address this issue, the National Academy of Scientist Education (NASE) and Academia Europaea (AE) propose the concept of ‘multigenerational systems education’, a comprehensive approach that draws inspiration from systems biology and systems medicine.

The traditional methods of teaching science have failed to keep pace with the rapid advancements of the twenty-first century. Evidence of declining interest is reflected in the decreasing number of students enrolling in science courses at both the high school level and the university level¹. According to recent studies, fewer students are choosing to specialize in life sciences, with many perceiving these fields as inaccessible or irrelevant to real-world applications^2,3.