Communicating Scientific Concepts and Dealing with Uncertainty

This episode is about the importance of supporting public access to science and helping experts and scientists in their work. Dr. Nicholas B. Dirks, joins host Adam Gamwell to discuss the work of the New York Academy of Sciences, which emphasizes the importance of science and the need for public engagement. Together, we highlight the changing relationship between science and broader society over time and the misconception of science as a singular established truth. The episode also explores challenges in communicating the nature of scientific discovery, addressing public skepticism towards scientific messages, and the role of science in addressing climate change and technological advancements. Dirks emphasizes the need to support and connect science across disciplines and engage with the public effectively. Additionally, the episode touches on the tension between liberal arts and public policy, the importance of public awareness in scientific thinking, uncertainty and trust in the scientific process, the role of paradigm shifts in science, and the lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic.


Nicholas B. Dirks

Nicholas B. Dirks is an internationally renowned historian and anthropologist who has made significant contributions as a scholar of South Asia and colonialism. He served as the 10th Chancellor of UC Berkeley from 2012 to 2017, where he strengthened research partnerships, increased accessibility for underrepresented students, and addressed critical issues like sexual harassment. Previously, Dirks was Executive Vice President and Dean of Faculty at Columbia, overseeing faculty growth and interdisciplinary initiatives. He has authored several acclaimed books on history and anthropology, including The Hollow Crown and Castes of Mind, and received honors including a Guggenheim Fellowship and MacArthur Fellowship. Through his academic leadership, research, and writing, Dirks has advanced scholarship on colonialism and made an impact as a public intellectual and leader in higher education.
Key Topics of this Podcast:

00:08:37 Science is a process of discovery and revision.
00:10:28 Science and public engagement are crucial.
00:15:11. Science is a zigzagging process.
00:18:47 Science is a process of testing and experimentation.
00:24:43 Science is a human activity.
00:28:44 Publication bias in scientific research.
00:33:14 Diverse scientific community fosters progress.
00:38:17 Prepare for future disasters.
00:44:13 Building trust in public conversations.
00:48:16 Ethical obligations in AI development.
00:53:39 Bilingualism between science and arts.
00:58:30 Supporting science with broader understanding.
01:03:53 Anthropology encompasses diverse disciplines.


Connect with Nicholas B. Dirks:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/nickdirks?s=20
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicholas-dirks-84a1ab149/
Website: https://www.nicholasbdirks.com/

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