Aspen Global Congress on Scientific Thinking & Action
The following components of the
March 17–20, 2021, co-organized by the Aspen Institute Science & Society Program (USA) and the Question of Science Institute (Brazil) in collaboration with the Aspen Institute Italia (Rome, Italy) and EquiTech Futures, were open to public audiences. We invited scientists, science advocates, science communicators, journalists, and interested and curious members of the public to attend.
Wednesday, March 17, 11:00–11:45am EDT
with welcome remarks 10:45–11:00am EDT by Aaron Mertz (Aspen Institute), Natália Pasternak (Question of Science Institute), Angelo Maria Petroni (Aspen Italia), and Seema Kumar (Johnson & Johnson)
This public conversation features a renowned science journalist and one of science’s most vocal advocates, who will discuss scientific attitudes during times of rampant science denial around the world. They will offer insights into how scientists, journalists, and govern
Science & Society
Scientific research and innovation are principally responsible for decades of economic growth, medical advances, and enhanced national security. Yet, society has failed to elevate these contributions through education, communication, and access in order to build public appreciation for science:
Scientific expertise is being challenged, and consensus on topics from climate change to vaccine safety is no longer assumed to be valid.
Political leaders are increasingly willing to distort research findings, target scientists for ideological reasons, and compromise scientific integrity in favor of special interests.
Institutional leadership has failed to support diversity in the STEM workforce and emphasize mastery of 21st-century STEM skills within underserved communities, limiting the available talent pool.