The National Academies

04/30/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 04/30/2024 11:28

Reports & Events Monthly Calendar - May 2024

"Reports & Events" is a monthly tip sheet for the news media that highlights selected meetings of interest and forthcoming reports from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine.

Selected Events in May 2024
Click on each event title below to access meeting details, an agenda, and registration information, or contact the Office of News and Public Information (email [email protected]). Reporters should register for all meetings. Find more National Academies events at https://www.nationalacademies.org/events.

Understanding Youth Perspectives on Civic Engagement
May 1
At this session, a diverse group of young people are invited to share their experiences and involvement in civic engagement. Participants will discuss opportunities for and barriers to youth civic engagement, the impact of civic engagement on youth well-being, and how parents, education, health care, and other systems and community-based institutions can advance engagement.

Addressing Environmental Damage in Ukraine
May 1-3
This workshop aims to gain a better understanding of the scope of the environmental damage resulting from the war in Ukraine. Participants will examine and assess damage in different areas and the impact on water, energy, public health, land, and biodiversity. The workshop will also discuss the challenges posed by demining and risks to nuclear and other energy facilities, highlighting ideas for coordinating mechanisms among governments and organizations providing assistance.

AI Day for Federal Statistics
May 2
This workshop will explore the implications of AI for federal statistical agencies. Discussions will include statistical research needs and the intersection of federal statistics with how other fields that use AI.

From Tsuru to Satellites: The Art of Science and Origami
May 3
Robert J. Lang, a celebrated origami artist, theorist, author, and NASA physicist, will deliver a lecture describing the relationship between art and technology through the art of origami.

Brines as a Resource for Critical Minerals
May 7
Geologic brines offer the potential for critical mineral recovery, with potentially a lower environmental impact than other sources. Brines are waters with elevated concentrations of sodium and potassium salts, along with associated dissolved metals and minerals. This webinar will examine domestic mineral reserves found in brines, the origin and longevity of the resource, different mineral extraction technologies, and the potential environmental impacts of developing these resources.

2024 International Conference of Young Scientists
May 8 and 9
The 2024 Global Young Academy's International Conference of Young Scientists will take place at the National Academy of Sciences building, where 150+ young scientists from more than 70 countries will gather to engage with U.S.-based experts and STEM leaders. This year's theme, "Transformative and Inclusive Science for a Sustainable Future," will explore how recent technological advances and current efforts toward diverse and inclusive science can create a sustainable future for all.

Research Gaps and Future Directions for Digital Twins
May 9, 16, 23, 30
A digital twin uses modeling and simulation to create a virtual representation that mimics the structure, context, and behavior of a physical counterpart, with bidirectional interaction and feedback between the physical and virtual. Across many fields of science, engineering, and medicine, excitement is growing about the potential of digital twins to transform scientific research, industrial practices, and different parts of daily life. A series of webinars this month will dive into ethical questions, regulatory challenges, human interaction, and other important aspects of the technology.

AI for Scientific Discovery
May 13
This event will highlight key findings from the National Academies' October 2023 workshop on AI for Scientific Discovery, and open a discussion with experts and global leaders who will share their activities in artificial intelligence and what they think has been missing from the conversation.

Enabling U.S. Leadership in Artificial Intelligence for Weather
May 13
This meeting will provide an overview of the rapidly changing landscape of weather forecasting and AI, perspectives on developing trustworthy AI-informed weather forecasts, the resources needed for the U.S. to lead in the future, and the opportunities and challenges of facilitating partnerships across academia, government, and industry.

Ethical and Societal Implications of Emerging Science, Technology, and Innovation in Health and Medicine
May 14
The NAM will host a workshop to explore mechanisms of governance for emerging science and technology. Speakers and panelists will focus on aligning emerging science and technology with equity across the innovation ecosystem, with breakout sessions that will facilitate in-depth examination of case studies in new areas of biomedical research and development.

Empowering Communities to Benefit from Federally Funded Energy Projects
May 16 and 17
At this workshop, experts from communities, community organizations, agencies, academia, and the private sector will address the topic of the U.S. Department of Energy's community benefit programs. Participants will have the opportunity to learn about the broader context of the programs and hear success stories from underserved communities.

Continued Efforts to Improve Pathways to Undergraduate STEM Degrees
May 20|
This event will feature discussions and reflection on the National Academies' 2016 consensus report, Barriers and Opportunities for 2-Year and 4-Year STEM Degrees: Systemic Change to Support Students' Diverse Pathways. Experts will discuss the current state of student experiences when navigating STEM degrees, and present on emerging research regarding transfer students and transfer models for students.

Improving Diversity and Inclusion in Clinical Trials
May 20
This workshop will explore opportunities to improve racial and ethnic diversity in clinical trials, with a focus on systemic and collective change across organizations and sectors. Following a keynote address from Monica Bertagnolli, director, National Institutes of Health, speakers and presentations will examine strategies for equitable participation, data sharing, and sustaining and scaling efforts.

Inventorship, Entrepreneurship, and Systems for Nurturing Black People in Applied and Translation Fields
May 20 and 21
This workshop will examine the academic programs and environments necessary to increase the number of Black people entering and succeeding in applied, translational, and technology-focused doctoral programs and careers in life sciences, engineering, and medicine. In addition, the workshop will look at the history of inventorship and entrepreneurship in the Black community, identify the variables that have led to individual achievement, and spotlight existing programs that have demonstrated success in seeding and cultivating skills in innovation and entrepreneurship throughout Black communities.

Essential Health Care Services Addressing Intimate Partner Violence
May 21
This webinar will discuss the recently released consensus study report on sustaining essential health care services for women experiencing intimate partner violence during steady state conditions and during public health emergencies. Speakers will explore the report's recommendations from the perspective of expert stakeholders in emergency planning and IPV-related care.

Research Priorities for Office Building Ventilation
May 21
Ventilation systems are critical to maintaining the health, comfort, and performance of people in buildings. This workshop will focus on the U.S. General Services Administration's research plans aimed at filling knowledge gaps and improving the state of the art in HVAC operations.

AI + Sustainable Chemistry
May 22
In this webinar, experts will dive into AI's predictive abilities and role in generating new chemistry and chemical engineering knowledge. Participants will explore use cases such as applying AI to discover new catalysts, detect oil reservoirs and track greenhouse gas emissions, and touch on ways to circumvent waste in the R&D process of personal care products and agriculture. Along with the applications, experts will explore the ethical considerations of AI and sustainable chemistry.

Communication to Bridge the Gap Between Food Production and Nutrition and Health
May 30
This workshop will explore communication among food producers, researchers, and consumers about agriculture and farming, and how they impact nutrition and health.

Innovations and Implications of Advances in Computational Analyses in Neuroscience Research
May 30
This webinar will highlight research and development in neuroscience focusing on advances in understanding biochemical and electrical signals at scale, and the broader technical, societal, and policy implications associated with recent advances and future research in these fields.

Community-Driven Relocation
May 31
While climate-induced disasters have always had the potential to displace people, their rapid escalation is significantly impacting the well-being and mental health of impacted communities. Community-driven relocation puts affected communities at the center of policy, planning, and implementation processes and considers the importance of communities that receive newcomers. At this webinar, experts will dive into the nuances of community-driven relocation, and its implications for community well-being.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FOR REPORTERS