Arizona State University is proud to host this year’s American Association for the Advancement of Science annual meeting, the world’s largest general scientific gathering, Feb. 8–11. This year’s virtual meeting is the first ever to offer dozens of free, public events. These include a plenary session on COVID-19 in 2021 presented by Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, and another on the future of competitiveness with Sethuraman Panchanathan, director of the National Science Foundation and former executive vice president of ASU’s Knowledge Enterprise.
The theme for 2021 is “Understanding Dynamic Ecosystems.” From the environments that we inhabit to the social systems in which we live and work, we are all embedded in a variety of ecosystems. Finding ways of maintaining the stable balance of these ecosystems in the face of rapidly changing circumstances is critical for our advancement.
This annual meeting features diverse ways of understanding the complexities and dynamics of biological, physical, social and economic systems across scales, as well as strengthening and activating new connections to address underlying problems in various spheres. These challenges facing contemporary society will provide the opportunity to creatively harness science, engineering, technology and policy to promote sustainable change.
Dozens of ASU faculty, staff and students will present on a range of topics, including the future of humans in space, innovating organic agriculture, and access and inclusion in engineering, among others. The event will close on Feb. 11 with remarks from Sally C. Morton, the new executive vice president of ASU’s Knowledge Enterprise.
“The AAAS is integral to understanding and appreciating science and the role it plays in all of our lives,” said Morton. “As a leading research institution, ASU is uniquely positioned to host the annual meeting, and we are honored to have this privilege. I am looking forward to sharing the incredible work being done here and to bringing together the brightest minds in the scientific community to collaborate and learn from one another.”
Full program registration costs $50 for members. Non-members can join AAAS and register for the conference for as little as $75. In addition to the full program available to members, the event includes a Public Events Passport that is free to non-members. Public events include:
- Plenary events and award presentations.
- Workshops on career development, advocacy and diversifying the STEM workforce.
- E-poster galleries.
- Sponsored sessions.