Science (as) Culture: Integration of Science & Society: The Current View?

Scientists make discoveries, engineers design new technologies, artists create multimedia installations contemplating how the world works, corporations develop and distribute new products, policymakers, researchers, creatives, and grassroots activists alike attempt to create positive impacts, while others instead either choose to remain a passive observer or feel their voice goes unheard. Ideally, all of these actors could work together at all stages of scientific and technological development to ensure the best outcomes for society as a whole. However, integrating these often disparate and sometimes competing fields—labs, creative spaces, corporations, universities, funding organizations, movements, governing bodies, and communities—is challenging. Ligo Project is working to dissolve those boundaries and to tackle this challenge with creativity.

Join us at the table for part 1 of an intimate yet challenging 3-part multidisciplinary exchange of ideas that gives everyone the opportunity to be heard and aims to change how we as a society think about, learn about, and talk about art, science and technology.

with Special Guests:

Myles Jackson, NYU Gallatin; History of Molecular Biology & Intellectual Property

Jeremy Blatter, NYU Steinhardt; Media, Culture, Communication; History of Science

Please RSVP using this link.

Be part of the conversation by taking a seat at the table!

Location Details:

Pratt Institute, 200 Willoughby Ave, East Hall 1, across from the Engine Room, in the Center for Career & Professional Development

How it Works:

Science (as) Culture will use a format inspired by Lois Weaver’s conversation as performance project ‘T he Long Table ’, which is informal, participatory & nonhierarchical. Special guests are invited to ‘seed’ the conversation but the “audience” is invited to take a seat at the table and join in. At all points in this discussion, it will be important not to take “progress” as self evident, and to ask why a particular idea or research practice makes sense. The rules of engagement will be such that free thought and open exchange are highly encouraged at all times – everyone’s voice is heard.

Goals:

The intended outcome of the Science (as) Culture Discussion Series will be to create a “Call to action” summary document toward taking positive steps in our community to better achieve the integration of science & society. We will use the call to action summary as a platform for the following: a discussion/white paper, blog and/or other article(s) in order to more broadly distribute the ideas exchanged in our discussions as well as to draft letters to the editors of relevant newspapers and other media sources; to distribute ideas & needs to other nonprofits with relevant missions as a means to coalesce a wider community around positive action toward the integration of science and society in our community; and to seed content and context for additional public town hall style discussions and events that will work toward new and creative contexts for the integration of science and society.

Event Schedule:

Doors: 30 min prior

Discussion: 90 min

Mingling afterwards at a nearby pub