The New York Academy of Sciences is thrilled to be part of the upcoming Science Summit at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA77). Over the course of this event, Academy leadership will be presenting at four sessions. Academy President & CEO, Nicholas Dirks, will be offering a Keynote on the importance of "Following the Science," as well as participating in the other three sessions. We encourage all Academy members and our broader community to attend this free event.

About the Summit

UNGA77 will bring together thought leaders, scientists, technologists, innovators, policymakers, decision-makers, regulators, financiers, philanthropists, journalists and editors, and community leaders to increase health science and citizen collaborations across a broad spectrum of themes ICT, nutrition, agriculture, and the environment.
We created this web page so you could easily see all Academy UNGA77 sessions.

*When you click on any of the registration buttons on this page, you will be taken to UNGA77 registration. Simply register for the free summit. A scheduling email will be sent to you for session selection. Attendees MUST add the session to their schedule to access event links and venue details. Please note all four Academy sessions are presented virtually so our community members from around the world can attend. Nick's keynote and Fireside Chat, will also be presented in-person, with limited seats available.

Featured Sessions

Session scheduling takes place after Summit registration.

This conversation explores how universities can negotiate the complexities of seeking to direct the extraordinary knowledge resources they hold towards the public good while maintaining commitments to academic excellence. These tensions are a significant part of a modern university, and they do not always sit in easy equilibrium when there are other issues of public concern about cost, access, research mission, etc.
This session will be located at:
The Debs Center | New York Office, 3 Dag Hammarskjold Plaza , 8th Fl, New York, NY 10017-2303

Mistrust in scientific knowledge has existed throughout history from refusal to accept hand washing in hospitals in the 1800s to vaccine hesitancy in the 1900s to present day. The most effective methods for enhancing trust in science remain a challenge, especially in a world where facts do not always have a foothold, and social media provides a new express lane for misinformation to spread. Bringing together public health experts with communications scholars, this panel will present current evidence-based knowledge on how to best communicate scientific information to improve health outcomes.
Speakers include: Moderator, Nicholas Dirks, President & CEO, New York Academy of Sciences, Kasisomayajula Viswanath, Lee Kum Kee Professor of Health Communication, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Lauren Smith, Chief Health Equity and Strategy Officer, CDC Foundation, and Seema Kumar, Former Executive Johnson & Johnson

In recent years, many of us have become increasingly alarmed by the growing attacks on science and scientists. We counter by saying that we believe in science, often taking up the slogan that we must follow the science. The problem is that we don’t know how to argue with those who have little regard for scientific authority, since we use the same blanket term for “science” as those who attack it.
In-person participation requires a separate registration. This session will be located at: IBM Watson Center, 51 Astor Pl, New York, NY 10003

This session is intended to introduce a broad audience to the functioning and purpose of the International Science Reserve (ISR) and why it matters to people and communities. The session will focus on the role of the ISR in helping to protect sustainable human development gains and ensure science and policy in times of crisis are responsive to the most affected people in society.
Speakers include: Moderator, Mila Rosenthal, Executive Director, International Science Reserve, Philip NelsonDirector, AI for Social Good, Google AI, Erwin Gianchandani, Assistant Director for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships, and Federal Liaison to the ISR, National Science Foundation, Tracy Marshall, University of the West Indies St. Augustine Campus, Trinidad and Tobago, and Nicholas Dirks, President & CEO, New York Academy of Sciences.

This session features several 1000 Girls 1000 Futures Young Academy Members. This session will give 5 pieces of advice to teachers, policymakers, and parents as to how they can contribute in creating safe, educational, and motivational environments for girls through education so that they can be part of the solution in bridging the STEAM gender gap.
Speakers include: Etasha D., Clare F., and Nyx I. from the 1000 Girls 1000 Futures Academy programs.

Hear more from Nick at his Keynote session.