National Academy of Sciences President Marcia McNutt will deliver a lecture on the future of the research enterprise this week at the American Association for the Advancement of Science Annual Meeting, one of the largest yearly gatherings of scientists in the U.S. Scheduled for 10 a.m. EST on Friday, March 3, McNutt’s lecture will explore how current components of the research system could be improved to meet the future challenges of this century — as well as risks that may come with these changes. 

On Saturday, March 4, at 4 p.m. EST, Vidar Helgesen, executive director of the Nobel Foundation, will participate in a session that will examine how the proliferation of misinformation and disinformation is eroding trust in scientists and their institutions. Countering misinformation and building trust in science is the focus of the upcoming Nobel Prize Summit “Truth, Trust and Hope,” which is being co-hosted this May by the National Academy of Sciences and the Nobel Foundation.  

And on Sunday, March 5, AAAS President Gilda Barabino, co-chair of the committee that authored the recent National Academies report Advancing Antiracism, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in STEMM Organizations: Beyond Broadening Participation, will participate in a scientific session to explore how to advance the report’s recommendations in the scientific community. 

Several other sessions will also feature presentations from staff and expert committees of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine:

Friday, March 3 

Working to Address Unethical and Unregulated Artificial Intelligence  
Organized by National Academies staff, this session will explore current uses and misuses of artificial intelligence in health care settings, challenges for statisticians exploring human rights data, and potential approaches for uncovering and preventing potential algorithmic biases.  

Establishing Boundary-Spanning Scientists and Civic Leaders Across Sectors  
Drawing on their experiences creating the Civic Science Fellows program and the broader applications their work has generated, speakers will explore system-level changes that can strengthen ties across science and civic life.  

Saturday, March 4 

The Science of Implicit Bias: Implications for Law and Policy
This session organized by National Academies staff will discuss the science underpinning understanding of implicit bias; implications of bias across sectors, including public health; and the challenges for courts as they address harms caused by implicit bias. The discussion will build on a March 2021 workshop of the National Academies’ Committee on Science, Technology, and Law, The Science of Implicit Bias: Implications for Law and Policy.  

Sunday, March 5 

Taking Action for Better and More Equitable K-16 Science Education  
Organized by National Academies staff, this session will highlight ways meeting attendees can join with others in their communities to make science education across grades K-16 better and more equitable. Presentations will focus on implementing priorities from the 2021 National Academies report Call to Action for Science Education: Building Opportunity for the Future. 

Science Diplomacy in a Fractured World  
This session will explore the recent past of international scientific cooperation, and discuss what principles and institutions should be at the core of a science diplomacy that is fit for purpose in the third decade of the 21st century. The session includes a presentation from Vaughan Turekian, director of the National Academies’ Policy and Global Affairs Division.  

Friday, March 3 

Working to Address Unethical and Unregulated Artificial Intelligence  
Organized by National Academies staff, this session will explore current uses and misuses of artificial intelligence in health care settings, challenges for statisticians exploring human rights data, and potential approaches for uncovering and preventing potential algorithmic biases.  

Establishing Boundary-Spanning Scientists and Civic Leaders Across Sectors  
Drawing on their experiences creating the Civic Science Fellows program and the broader applications their work has generated, speakers will explore system-level changes that can strengthen ties across science and civic life.  

Saturday, March 4 

The Science of Implicit Bias: Implications for Law and Policy
This session organized by National Academies staff will discuss the science underpinning understanding of implicit bias; implications of bias across sectors, including public health; and the challenges for courts as they address harms caused by implicit bias. The discussion will build on a March 2021 workshop of the National Academies’ Committee on Science, Technology, and Law, The Science of Implicit Bias: Implications for Law and Policy.  

Sunday, March 5 

Taking Action for Better and More Equitable K-16 Science Education  
Organized by National Academies staff, this session will highlight ways meeting attendees can join with others in their communities to make science education across grades K-16 better and more equitable. Presentations will focus on implementing priorities from the 2021 National Academies report Call to Action for Science Education: Building Opportunity for the Future. 

Science Diplomacy in a Fractured World  
This session will explore the recent past of international scientific cooperation, and discuss what principles and institutions should be at the core of a science diplomacy that is fit for purpose in the third decade of the 21st century. The session includes a presentation from Vaughan Turekian, director of the National Academies’ Policy and Global Affairs Division.