OUR FUTURE IS SCIENCE is an initiative of the Aspen Institute Science & Society Program, which works to strengthen how science and civic life support one another—advancing public understanding, civic participation, and decision-making grounded in evidence.
2022-2023
SPEAKERS
| CLIMATE SCIENCE & SOCIAL JUSTICE
Courtney Cogburn, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Columbia University School of Social Work
Chief Equity Officer & Knowledge Transfer Director, LEAP Center
Topic: Combining Data & Principles of Community Engagement to Achieve Climate Justice
| HEALTH, HEALTH DISPARITIES, & SOCIAL JUSTICE
Eleanor Fleming, DDS, PhD, MPH
Assistant Dean, Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion, University of Maryland School of Dentistry
Topic: Social Justice and Health Equity
| GENETICS & SOCIAL JUSTICE
Daphne O. Martschenko, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Stanford University Center for Biomedical Ethics
Topic: Advancing STEM: The Intersection of Genetics & Social Justice
| GENETICS & SOCIAL JUSTICE
Mandeep (Muno) Sekhon
Associate Communications and Special Projects Officer, Burroughs Wellcome Fund
Topic: Advancing STEM: The Intersection of Genetics & Social Justice
| ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
Mutale Nkonde
Founder & CEO, AI for the People
Topic:AI for All? Exploration of Algorithmic Bias in the Real-world
| ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
Chris Hemphill
Senior Director, Commercial IntelligencE; Woebot Health
Topic: AI for All? Exploration of Algorithmic Bias in the Real-world
| STEM EDUCATION, CAREERS, & COMMUNICATION
Ashley M. Taylor, Ph.D.
Senior Scientist, Products Research
Procter & Gamble
Topic: Let’s Talk about It: Journey to Becoming a Cosmetic Chemist
| STEM EDUCATION, CAREERS, & COMMUNICATION
Malik & Miles - The Tik Tok Twins
STEM Educator/MIT Doctoral Students
TikTok Twins
Topic: STEM Education & Science Communication
| STEM EDUCATION, CAREERS, & COMMUNICATION
Marcus D. Walter
News Anchor & Meteorologist, WTVO/WQRF
Topic: Science Communication & Storytelling
2021-2022
SPEAKERS
| CLIMATE SCIENCE & SOCIAL JUSTICE
Pierre Gentine, Ph.D.
Professor, Columbia University
Director, LEAP Center
Topic: Climate Data Science and the Columbia University LEAP Center Research
| CLIMATE SCIENCE & SOCIAL JUSTICE
Courtney Cogburn, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Columbia University School of Social Work
Chief Equity Officer & Knowledge Transfer Director, LEAP Center
Topic: Combining Data & Principles of Community Engagement for Climate Justice
| CLIMATE SCIENCE & SOCIAL JUSTICE
Joshua Omonuk
Climate Activist
RiseUp Movement
Topic:Climate Change
| CLIMATE SCIENCE & SOCIAL JUSTICE
Danielle Ignace, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
University of British Columbia
Topic: Indigenous Populations and Climate Change/Justice
| HEALTH, HEALTH DISPARITIES, & SOCIAL JUSTICE
Eleanor Fleming, DDS, PhD, MPH
Assistant Dean, Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
University of Maryland School of Dentistry
Topic: Health Disparities & Health Equity
| HEALTH, HEALTH DISPARITIES, & SOCIAL JUSTICE
Shanell McGoy, Ph.D., MPH
Director, Corporate & Social Responsibility; Gilead Sciences
Topic: Social Determinants of Health
| DIVERSITY IN CLINICAL TRIALS
Maria Florez, MA
Founder, Brenner Insights
Topic: Diversity in Clinical Trials
| DIVERSITY IN CLINICAL TRIALS
Brittney N. Doyle
Founder, WISE Health SF
Topic: Clinical Trial Innovation Hubs
| SCIENCE INNOVATION
Michelle Woodard
Senior Manager, 3M Office & Innovation Center
Topic: Materials Innovation
| STEM EDUCATION, CAREERS, & COMMUNICATION
Daisa Taylor
Founder & CEO, VariegateHealth
Topic: STEM Education and the Value of Mentors
| STEM EDUCATION, CAREERS, & COMMUNICATION
Adrian Land, Ph.D.
Senior Regulatory Affairs Manager, Procter & Gamble
Topic: Navigating STEM Education and Careers
| CORAL REEFS & SOCIAL JUSTICE
Kramer Wimberley, MSDT
Master Scuba Diver
Diving with a Purpose
Topic: Coral Reefs & Citizen Science
INITIATIVE HISTORY
In 2020, the Aspen Institute Science & Society Program conceptualized Our Future Is Science in response to major societal shifts. These included growing youth engagement around science-related challenges such as climate change and water systems, as well as increased attention to how different communities experience health and environmental issues.
That same year, the Aspen Institute and LeapSmag published the article “Democratize the White Coat,” which helped shape the vision for OFIS—expanding access to science, strengthening connections between science and communities, and supporting young people in applying science to real-world challenges.