Recipient of the 2024 Robert J. Zimmer Medal for Intellectual Freedom
JAY BHATTACHARYA
For over twenty years, Dr. Bhattacharya has been a leading authority on biomedical innovation, the economics of health care, and public policy affecting the health of vulnerable populations. He has produced over 200 scholarly publications, directs Stanford University’s Center for Demography and Economics of Health and Aging, and is affiliated with prominent national institutions such as the National Bureau of Economics Research.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Bhattacharya, like so many others, pivoted his work to make his formidable expertise available to the public in its time of dire need. And, as happens so often in the practice of science, his findings did not immediately and completely confirm what many people were expecting him to find. In the fear and uncertainty of that undeniably challenging global emergency, some public officials found themselves asking: Can we afford to permit scientists to publicize unexpected findings and express ideas and opinions that deviate from those policies initially advocated and widely instituted? Or does our responsibility to public safety somehow require us to use administrative power to project and enforce the appearance of consensus in the findings of science, and the opinions of scientists?
Dr. Bhattacharya’s response demonstrated the courage and firm commitment to intellectual freedom that the Zimmer Medal exists to honor. He not only resolutely refused despite enormous pressure to compromise his scientific findings, but placed at risk his own personal and professional self-interest, repeatedly, without hesitation, to take a stand for the public’s right to unrestricted scientific discussion and debate.
The Academy was honored to present the 2024 Robert J. Zimmer Medal for Intellectual Freedom to Dr. Jay Bhattacharya.
View our onstage conversation with Dr. Bhattacharya after the awarding of the medal:
