98 episodes

A production of the AAAS Science & Technology Policy Fellows, the Sci on the Fly podcast helps explain and illuminate the best stories shaping the world of science policy.

Sci on the Fly AAAS Science & Technology Policy Fellows

    • Science
    • 4.8 • 12 Ratings

A production of the AAAS Science & Technology Policy Fellows, the Sci on the Fly podcast helps explain and illuminate the best stories shaping the world of science policy.

    “But Does It Change Anything?”: A Conversation with Dr. Irma McClaurin on Science, Policy and Writing to Change the World

    “But Does It Change Anything?”: A Conversation with Dr. Irma McClaurin on Science, Policy and Writing to Change the World

    “Change minds, change hearts, change behavior, achieve transformation.” That’s bio-cultural anthropologist Dr. Irma McClaurin’s motto and through writing and science communication, she’s been able to achieve that. STPF alum Saira Mehmood and current STPF fellow Meryleen Mena, both anthropologists, have a conversation with Irma McClaurin, who is also an STPF alum, about her time in the fellowship and her dynamic career as an engaged anthropologist in both government and academia. The three also chat about the power of the pen and Dr. McClaurin’s public writing, which has appeared in numerous publications, such as Ms. Magazine.
    Dr. McClaurin is a Black feminist trailblazer and founder of the Irma McClaurin Black Feminist Archives at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, was recently featured in the PBS documentary "Zora Neale Hurston: Claiming Space," and is a champion of science communication. She regularly leverages her expertise in the social construction of inequality to share knowledge to academic and non-academic audiences, and she currently sits on the board of the Op-Ed project.
    This podcast does not necessarily reflect the views of AAAS, its Council, Board of Directors, officers, or members. AAAS is not responsible for the accuracy of this material. AAAS has made this material available as a public service, but this does not constitute endorsement by the association.

    • 31 min
    Science Helps Us… Create the Future of Computing

    Science Helps Us… Create the Future of Computing

    Computing is a ubiquitous part of our everyday lives and rapid advances continue to shape the way we work and live. In the fourth episode of our “Science Helps Us…” series, Dr. Margaret Martonosi, acclaimed computer scientist and leader of the Computer and Information Science and Engineering (CISE) Directorate at the National Science Foundation (NSF), shares her insight into the future of computing with STPF alum Stephanie Gage. Their conversation explores Dr. Martonosi beginnings in computer science, her thoughts on leadership, and how the NSF is thinking about computing in areas such as education, climate, economic equality, personal use of computing, and artificial intelligence.
     
    This podcast does not necessarily reflect the views of AAAS, its Council, Board of Directors, officers, or members. AAAS is not responsible for the accuracy of this material. AAAS has made this material available as a public service, but this does not constitute endorsement by the association.

    • 36 min
    Rethinking Our Defense Against Unknown Biothreats

    Rethinking Our Defense Against Unknown Biothreats

    Dr. Harshini Mukundan, Program Manager and Scientist for Chemical and Biological Technologies at the Office of National and Homeland Security, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, and visiting Scientist at Los Alamos National Laboratory sat down with host and AAAS STPF fellow Dr. Adejare (Jay) Atanda to discuss her research on pathogen agnostic disease detection and diagnostics, why this is important for biodefense against unknown biothreats, the role of technological innovations in pathogen agnostic detection and diagnostics, limitations of existing technological tools, and the vital importance of public-private partnerships in transforming this field. This conversation also covered the challenges women, people of color and immigrants face as scientists, the importance of mentorship in mitigating these challenges and her own mentorship and advocacy work to educate young girls about STEM careers as a AAAS IF/THEN STEM Ambassador and guest on CBS’s “Mission Unstoppable” among other efforts.
     
    This podcast does not necessarily reflect the views of AAAS, its Council, Board of Directors, officers, or members. AAAS is not responsible for the accuracy of this material. AAAS has made this material available as a public service, but this does not constitute endorsement by the association.

    • 46 min
    Science Helps Us… Bring Nations Together

    Science Helps Us… Bring Nations Together

    In the third episode in our “Science Helps Us…” series, we explore how hydrologic science can help bring people to the negotiation table. 
     
    Water is a resource that defies political boundaries – managing it effectively can serve as a catalyst to international diplomacy. Our three guests highlight the important role that science plays in the shifting landscape of water diplomacy. We discuss science translation, the value of ensuring diverse voices have a seat at the table, and why all data are – to some extent – inherently political.
    This podcast does not necessarily reflect the views of AAAS, its Council, Board of Directors, officers, or members. AAAS is not responsible for the accuracy of this material. AAAS has made this material available as a public service, but this does not constitute endorsement by the association.

    • 39 min
    Science Helps Us… Imagine the Future

    Science Helps Us… Imagine the Future

    In the second episode in our “Science Helps Us…” series, we explore the ways that science shapes the ways we tell stories – and how it helps make those stories a reality.
     
    Our guests, Brian Johnson and Rebekah Brubaker, put the “science” back into science fiction by convening the gold-star standard of science paneling at one of the largest comic cons in the country: Phoenix Fan Fusion. We discuss the benefits of the comic con format as a vehicle for science engagement, tips for budding science communicators, and why Ross from Friends is an unexpected role model for scientist representation in the media. Plus, guest spots from STPF Fellows and alumni who featured as panelists at this year’s Fan Fusion!
     
    This podcast does not necessarily reflect the views of AAAS, its Council, Board of Directors, officers, or members. AAAS is not responsible for the accuracy of this material. AAAS has made this material available as a public service, but this does not constitute endorsement by the association.

    • 27 min
    Anthony Fauci: “Science helps us” Prepare for Pandemics

    Anthony Fauci: “Science helps us” Prepare for Pandemics

    Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, former Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and President Joe Biden’s former Chief Medical Advisor sat down with host and AAAS STPF fellow Dr. Adejare (Jay) Atanda to discuss pandemic preparedness and response. Dr. Fauci also discusses the duality of his former role as a public facing physician-scientist, lessons from his service responding to COVID-19, and how scientists can leverage the power of the media for good. In the process, we learn about the risks from new and emerging technology… and how we can be better prepared for the next pandemic.
     
    This podcast does not necessarily reflect the views of AAAS, its Council, Board of Directors, officers, or members. AAAS is not responsible for the accuracy of this material. AAAS has made this material available as a public service, but this does not constitute endorsement by the association.

    • 33 min

Customer Reviews

4.8 out of 5
12 Ratings

12 Ratings

ddt232 ,

Best Sci Policy Show

Loved it! Engaging and covers a wide range of topics. Easy to listen!

zje112 ,

Enjoyable, informative, and inspiring!

The work these fellows do varies so much from person to person! I love tuning in every month to hear a completely different story about how scientists are making US policy better, and to hear their stories about going from academe to government.

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