The New York Academy of Sciences

Shaping Science with Nick Dirks

Science EN ↓ 31 episodes

Welcome to Shaping Science with Nick Dirks where we talk with experts from science, academia, industry, and beyond to explore the latest in research, education and innovation for the public good. Episodes are released on a bi-monthly basis.

Be sure to visit the podcast's website and support the creator: www.nyas.org

Author

The New York Academy of Sciences

Episodes

#05 D. Graham Burnett on the Philosophy of Science, the Crisis of Human Fracking, and the Need for Attention Sanctuaries 03.11.2025 49:11

D. Graham Burnett, PhD, joins Nick Dirks in the latest episode of Shaping Science to discuss the role of democracy in science and the impact technology has on attention spans. Prof. Burnett is the Henry Charles Lea Professor of History at Princeton University. He co-authored the paper “Attention sanctuaries: Social practice guidelines and emergent strategies in attention activism” published in Ann...

#04 Stuart Firestein on the Science of Smells, Learning from Failure, and the Utility of Uncertainty 20.10.2025 47:34

Stuart Firestein, PhD, joins Nick Dirks in the latest episode of Shaping Science to discuss the science of smells, learning from failure, and the utility of uncertainty. Formerly the Chair of the Department of Biological Sciences at Columbia University, Prof. Firestein is the author of “Ignorance: How it Drives Science” and “Failure: Why Science is So Successful,” which have been translated into 1...

#03 Peter Salovey on Emotional Intelligence, Public Trust in Science, and the Future of Higher Education 06.10.2025 48:59

Peter Salovey joins Nick Dirks in the latest episode of Shaping Science to discuss his groundbreaking work on emotional intelligence and lessons he’s learned after more than two decades in higher education leadership. Prof. Salovey served as the twenty-third president of Yale University from 2013 to 2024 and currently is Sterling Professor of Psychology at Yale with secondary appointments in the S...

#02 Ariel Ekblaw on the Intersection of Physics, AI, Philosophy, and Ethics in Space Exploration 22.09.2025 46:46

Ariel Ekblaw, PhD, founder and CEO of Aurelia Institute, joins Nick Dirks in the latest episode of Shaping Science to discuss the complexity and promise of modern space exploration. Dr. Ekblaw talks about the work her nonprofit is doing in developing “space LEGOs” to create customizable space structures for humans, the utility of zero gravity for medical applications, and her thoughts on democrati...

#01 Mary Woolley on Threats to Science, the Role of Advocacy, and Funding Research 09.09.2025 50:13

Mary Woolley, President of Research! America, joins Nick Dirks in the premiere episode of Shaping Science, The New York Academy of Sciences' new podcast. Mary discusses her more than three-decade career at the helm of Research! America, the importance of federal support for research, and hope for the future of science, despite recent challenges. This episode of Shaping Science was made possibl...

Introducing the "Shaping Science" Podcast 05.08.2025 2:18

Welcome to the "Shaping Science" podcast where we talk with experts from science, academia, industry, and beyond to explore the latest in research, education and innovation for the public good.