scitech

Scitech is a portmanteau of science and technology commonly used to describe the combined domain of scientific research and technological development. In this sense, scitech encompasses both the pursuit of fundamental knowledge and its application to create new tools, processes, and products. The term is often used to refer to cross-disciplinary activity that spans universities, government laboratories, and industry, where discoveries in basic science inform engineering and, conversely, technological advances enable new lines of scientific inquiry.

Its scope includes natural sciences such as physics, chemistry, and biology; engineering disciplines; information technology; materials science; environmental and health sciences; and space science. It covers basic research, applied research, development, and diffusion of innovations.

The term gained prominence in the late 20th century as the boundaries between science and engineering blurred, and innovation policy emphasized research-to-market pathways. It appears in academic programs, industry reports, media coverage, and government strategy. Some observers view scitech as a convenient umbrella term, while others critique it as jargon that obscures distinct epistemic cultures.

Scitech underpins economic growth, competitiveness, and social progress. It raises considerations about ethics, safety, and regulation, data sharing, reproducibility, and equity in access to new technologies. Effective science communication and interdisciplinary training are often cited as key enablers of scitech work.