ISGP's "The Forum"

HOT TOPIC: Sugar substitutes.

Sugar substitutes are popular for many reasons, but rumors about their impacts on health are rampant. Do sweeteners improve dental health and reduce diabetes risk? Do they cause cancer? Or are they just a neutral component of your favorite diet soda?

Featuring: Erik Millstone, University of Sussex

Socialize with science on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram using @ISGPforum.

Disclaimer: The ISGP is a nonprofit organization that does not lobby for any position except rational thinking. Podcasts within the "Hot Topics Series" (Episodes 75+) reflect the views expressed by featured guests. Furthermore, a member of the co-host team is currently employed by the U.S. Department of State, but the views expressed in this episode are not necessarily those of the U.S. Government. For more information on The Forum, please visit www.ISGPforum.org.

HOT TOPIC: Pre- and probiotics.

What are prebiotics and probiotics, and how do they interact with the gut microbiome? Plus, you might be surprised to learn how probiotic supplements are regulated.

Featuring: Mindy Haar, New York Institute of Technology

Socialize with science on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram using @ISGPforum.

Disclaimer: The ISGP is a nonprofit organization that does not lobby for any position except rational thinking. Podcasts within the "Hot Topics Series" (Episodes 75+) reflect the views expressed by featured guests. Furthermore, a member of the co-host team is currently employed by the U.S. Department of State, but the views expressed in this episode are not necessarily those of the U.S. Government. For more information on The Forum, please visit www.ISGPforum.org.

HOT TOPIC: Space exploration.

Discover some of the greatest remaining challenges associated with space exploration, as well as the technologies being developed to overcome them. Plus, can international agreements ensure that off-planet exporation occurs responsibly?

Featuring: Lynn Rothschild, NASA

Socialize with science on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram using @ISGPforum.

Disclaimer: The ISGP is a nonprofit organization that does not lobby for any position except rational thinking. Podcasts within the "Hot Topics Series" (Episodes 75+) reflect the views expressed by featured guests. Furthermore, a member of the co-host team is currently employed by the U.S. Department of State, but the views expressed in this episode are not necessarily those of the U.S. Government. For more information on The Forum, please visit www.ISGPforum.org.

HOT TOPIC: Sustainable Development Goals.

The Sustainable Development Goals, or SDGs, are a set of targets for the world to meet by the year 2030. Learn how science and technology can help us accomplish them.

Featuring: Darin Detwiler, Northeastern University

Socialize with science on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram using @ISGPforum.

Disclaimer: The ISGP is a nonprofit organization that does not lobby for any position except rational thinking. Podcasts within the "Hot Topics Series" (Episodes 75+) reflect the views expressed by featured guests. Furthermore, a member of the co-host team is currently employed by the U.S. Department of State, but the views expressed in this episode are not necessarily those of the U.S. Government. For more information on The Forum, please visit www.ISGPforum.org.

HOT TOPIC: Plastic pollution.

Plastic pollution in waterways harms marine life and could even affect human health. Learn how a combination of individual and collective actions can help make a dent in this growing global challenge.

Featuring: Kera Abraham Panni, Monterey Bay Aquarium

Socialize with science on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram using @ISGPforum.

Disclaimer: The ISGP is a nonprofit organization that does not lobby for any position except rational thinking. Podcasts within the "Hot Topics Series" (Episodes 75+) reflect the views expressed by featured guests. Furthermore, a member of the co-host team is currently employed by the U.S. Department of State, but the views expressed in this episode are not necessarily those of the U.S. Government. For more information on The Forum, please visit www.ISGPforum.org.

HOT TOPIC: 3D printing.

3D printing is a technology that could transform the manufacturing industry, making supply chains more environmentally and economically sound. Learn how 3D printing works, the societal opportunities and challenges it provides, and how policy makers could play a role in guiding its use.

Featuring: Joe DeSimone, Carbon

Socialize with science on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram using @ISGPforum.

Disclaimer: The ISGP is a nonprofit organization that does not lobby for any position except rational thinking. Podcasts within the "Hot Topics Series" (Episodes 75+) reflect the views expressed by featured guests. Furthermore, a member of the co-host team is currently employed by the U.S. Department of State, but the views expressed in this episode are not necessarily those of the U.S. Government. For more information on The Forum, please visit www.ISGPforum.org.

HOT TOPIC: Academic scientists.

Learn about the roles and responsibilities of academic scientists all over the world! Would it surprise you to discover that only a fraction of their time is spent at a laboratory bench?

Featuring: Li Li, Harvard Medical School

Socialize with science on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram using @ISGPforum.

Disclaimer: The ISGP is a nonprofit organization that does not lobby for any position except rational thinking. Podcasts within the "Hot Topics Series" (Episodes 75+) reflect the views expressed by featured guests. For information on The Forum, please visit www.ISGPforum.org, and to learn more about the ISGP, check out www.scienceforglobalpolicy.org.

PAPER TOPIC: Double burden (within “nutrition”).

The term "double burden" refers to populations that are both overweight and undernourished, a phenomenon that is increasing in frequency and often associated with poverty. The co-hosts outline food policies that could help address the double burden, such as calorie-labeling on menus and subsidizing healthy foods in the marketplace.

Featuring: A Position Paper by Mindy Kurzer (University of Minnesota)

Socialize with science on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram using @ISGPforum. This episode has been re-released in celebration of The Forum’s four-year anniversary.

Disclaimer: The ISGP is a nonprofit organization that does not lobby for any position except rational thinking. Podcasts reflect the views expressed by conference participants. ISGP conferences follow a unique debate-and-caucus format. Distinguished scientists write 3-page policy position papers, then engage in 90 minutes of intensive debate with invited subject matter experts, policy makers, and other stakeholders collectively known as “the debaters.” Following the debates, participants engage in small, moderated caucus sessions to identify areas of consensus and actionable next steps. All conference participants then reconvene for a plenary session to compare the outcomes from each caucus group. For more information, please visit www.scienceforglobalpolicy.org.

PAPER TOPIC: Vaccines (within “infectious disease”).

In recent years, the Western world has witnessed an "anti-vaccine movement," despite the efficacy of vaccines in preventing disease transmission. What caused this phenomenon, and what can be done to stop it?

Featuring: A Position Paper by David Markovitz (University of Michigan)

Socialize with science on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram using @ISGPforum. This episode has been re-released in celebration of The Forum’s four-year anniversary.

Disclaimer: The ISGP is a nonprofit organization that does not lobby for any position except rational thinking. Podcasts reflect the views expressed by conference participants. ISGP conferences follow a unique debate-and-caucus format. Distinguished scientists write 3-page policy position papers, then engage in 90 minutes of intensive debate with invited subject matter experts, policy makers, and other stakeholders collectively known as “the debaters.” Following the debates, participants engage in small, moderated caucus sessions to identify areas of consensus and actionable next steps. All conference participants then reconvene for a plenary session to compare the outcomes from each caucus group. For more information, please visit www.scienceforglobalpolicy.org.

PAPER TOPIC: Colorado River Basin (within “climate change”).

The Colorado River Basin region has made efforts in water management that could be applicable to other parts of the world facing a water-insecure future.

Featuring: A Position Paper by Sharon Megdal (University of Arizona)

Socialize with science on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram using @ISGPforum. This episode has been re-released in celebration of The Forum’s four-year anniversary.

Disclaimer: The ISGP is a nonprofit organization that does not lobby for any position except rational thinking. Podcasts reflect the views expressed by conference participants. ISGP conferences follow a unique debate-and-caucus format. Distinguished scientists write 3-page policy position papers, then engage in 90 minutes of intensive debate with invited subject matter experts, policy makers, and other stakeholders collectively known as “the debaters.” Following the debates, participants engage in small, moderated caucus sessions to identify areas of consensus and actionable next steps. All conference participants then reconvene for a plenary session to compare the outcomes from each caucus group. For more information, please visit www.scienceforglobalpolicy.org.