ISGP's "The Forum"

HOT TOPIC: Lyme disease perception and prevention.

People tend to have an inaccurate perception of their risk of contracting Lyme disease. In Part 2 of our two-episode miniseries on Lyme disease, learn how public health officials communicate disease risk and what prevention measures are used to reach different community groups.

Featuring: Bryon Backenson, New York State Department of Health

Socialize with science on Twitter and Facebook 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.

HOT TOPIC: Lyme disease ecology.

Lyme disease is a common public health threat in many parts of the world. In Part 1 of our two-episode miniseries on Lyme disease, learn about the complex connection between disease risk, local ecology, and climate change.

Featuring: Felicia Keesing, Bard College

Socialize with science on Twitter and Facebook 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 more information on the ISGP or its podcast series, please visit www.scienceforglobalpolicy.org.

HOT TOPIC: Blockchain.

We've all heard of blockchain technology, but what is it and how does it work? The co-hosts explain the details and discuss a variety of lesser-known blockchain applications beyond cryptocurrency. (Guest Co-Host)

Featuring: Scott Stornetta, Co-Founder of Blockchain

Socialize with science on Twitter and Facebook 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 more information on the ISGP or its podcast series, please visit www.scienceforglobalpolicy.org.

HOT TOPIC: Air pollution and health.

Air pollution is harmful to human health, but just how much pollution is too much? Which pollutants cause which ailments, and how does an individual's genome influence their susceptibility? That's just what the Exposomics research project is trying to find out.

Featuring: Paolo Vineis, Imperial College London

Socialize with science on Twitter and Facebook 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 more information on the ISGP or its podcast series, please visit www.scienceforglobalpolicy.org.

HOT TOPIC: Scientists as activists, advocates, and politicians.

Scientists are known for their research in the lab and field, but should they double as activists, advocates, or politicians? Do these roles compromise scientists' objectiveness, or does current science skepticism demand action?

Featuring: Shaughnessy Naughton, 314 Action

Socialize with science on Twitter and Facebook 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 more information on the ISGP or its podcast series, please visit www.scienceforglobalpolicy.org.

HOT TOPIC: Solar energy.

The co-hosts outline the basics of solar energy, ranging from solar panel function to interactions between arrays and the larger power grid. How are scientists addressing challenges associated with energy storage, conversion efficiency, and cost efficacy? What can we expect from solar energy in the future?

Featuring: Bill Hutzel, Purdue University

Socialize with science on Twitter and Facebook 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 more information on the ISGP or its podcast series, please visit www.scienceforglobalpolicy.org.

HOT TOPIC: CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing.

The co-hosts discuss the science behind CRISPR-Cas9, case study its potential applications in food and health care, and answer the big question...How soon can we expect gene editing to hit grocery store shelves and hospital wings?

Featuring: Kevin Doxzen and Lea Witkowsky, Innovative Genomics Institute

Socialize with science on Twitter and Facebook 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 more information on the ISGP or its podcast series, please visit www.scienceforglobalpolicy.org.

Native North American populations are suffering from unprecedented rates of long-term chronic disease and poor mental health, largely associated with lifestyle changes and a transition from land-based to processed foods. But it actually might not be too late to reverse this "nutritional transition."

Equitable, Sustainable, and Healthy Food Environments (FSSD), Samson

Socialize with science on Twitter using @ISGPforum with #ISGPforum, and read the policy position paper and debate summary associated with this episode at the Institute on Science for Global Policy's website: www.scienceforglobalpolicy.org.

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 an 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.

Overcoming food security challenges will involve addressing distribution, nutrition, environmental, and social concerns; it's not just about producing enough calories. How can new technologies, including robots and data analytics, be of assistance?

Equitable, Sustainable, and Healthy Food Environments (FSSD), Fraser

Socialize with science on Twitter using @ISGPforum with #ISGPforum, and read the policy position paper and debate summary associated with this episode at the Institute on Science for Global Policy's website: www.scienceforglobalpolicy.org.

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 an 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.

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.

Equitable, Sustainable, and Healthy Food Environments (FSSD), Kurzer

Socialize with science on Twitter using @ISGPforum with #ISGPforum, and read the policy position paper and debate summary associated with this episode at the Institute on Science for Global Policy's website: www.scienceforglobalpolicy.org.

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 an 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.