The first thing we ask experts to have and provide is a mastery of the science in their field. If there is some knowledge that is basically agreed on within the field and has been validated with the scientific method, then an expert should know it and be able to apply it to relevant issues and problems. Physicists should know about physical forces and matter, for example.

The second thing we ask, is abundant familiarity with the the field. Physicists should not only know rules, but they should also have many experiences of dropping a feather and a hammer to see how they each fall. They should know a few stories about Richard Feynman. They should have visited at least a few different physics departments and have contacts in several different fields of physics. They should know what a lab smells like, and they should know some computer programming.

Experts should know what their field has achieved, but they should also still be in the midst of the field. A topic of study comes out of a history, and is made up of a community. In order to know what is universal and what is particular, experts need to surround themselves with both. And, over time, that line moves. The expert should be ready.