In this time of crisis for science, with mounting populist assaults on expertise, partisan defunding of research that inconveniences the rich and powerful, and the rise of social media influencers who disseminate alternative facts and conspiracy theories, scholarship on the rhetoric of science is critically needed. To prepare the way for the essays that make up this volume on Science, Politics, and the Rhetoric of Public Controversy, this introduction makes two arguments. First, scientists have a responsibility to act as rhetorical citizens in the public sphere, ready to work not only as researchers, but also as advocates, activists, and whistle-blowers when needed. Second, scholars who investigate the “rhetoric of science” in this moment should consider it a crisis discipline, helping prepare rhetors to intervene in public forums, as well as a care discipline, committed to fostering positive change and serving the public good.