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Slate and The George Washington University present:
“Talking About Tomorrow: When Reliable Data Disappears”

  Friday, February 14, 11:00 am - 12:00 pm ET

  Sci-Mic Stage, Expo

For much of the 2010s, the social media environment was relatively stable. Scientific researchers learned through experience how to communicate their findings and engage with the public on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Today that stability has eroded. The platforms' owners have turned hostile, and research institutions are under attack. Entire agencies are being dismantled in real time. In this Sci-Mic Stage conversation, Slate's What Next: TBD host Lizzie O'Leary will talk with David Karpf, a political communication scholar at GW, about what we know about the changing status of the political environment and the information environment. O'Leary and Karpf will discuss what is happening, what is likely to come next, and what scientists can do about it. 

The conversation will be recorded and rebroadcast as an episode on the What Next: TBD podcast.

The George Washington University presents:
“Scientists Under Siege: Addressing Researcher Harassment”

  Friday, February 14, 4:00 - 5:00 pm ET

  Sci-Mic Stage, Expo

Researchers across disciplines are facing unprecedented levels of intimidation and harassment that aims to discredit, delay, or end their work altogether. This abuse has dire consequences for researchers, their institutions, and society as whole–reflected notably in declining levels of trust in, and wider attacks on, scientific integrity and higher education. Join Rebekah Tromble, director of GW’s Institute for Data, Democracy and Politics, and Holden Thorp, Editor-in-Chief of Science, for a conversation on how to mitigate campaigns of intimidation and harassment, the new tools and resources available to researchers and universities, and how the the scientific community can come together to support one another in these challenging times. Political communication scholar David Karpf will moderate the discussion.

Be Your Own Character: Develop a Unique Voice & Story to Bring Science to Life

  Friday, February 14, 2:30 - 3:30 pm ET

  Room 210

Storytelling is a powerful way to communicate science to non-experts. In this workshop, Emmy-winner Frank Sesno, NOVA's Julia Cort, and doctoral student Harrison Watson will guide attendees in crafting stories with a central character, shaping key messages, and using diverse formats. They’ll show how storytelling can inform the public, influence policy, attract media, and secure funding.

Presented by Frank Sesno (The George Washington University), Julia Cort (GBH/NOVA) and Harrison Watson (Princeton University)

Voice-based AI for Medicine: Practices for Ethical Interventions at Scale

  Friday, February 14, 2:30 - 3:30 pm ET

  Room 304

People with neurological and mental health disorders face healthcare, employment, and education disparities. Remote clinical assessments using voice analytics and speech recognition can aid early diagnosis and monitoring. Experts will discuss applications in conditions like cerebral palsy, ALS, Parkinson’s, and schizophrenia, highlighting ethical AI design, equitable access, and data privacy for trustworthy healthcare solutions.

Organized by Shelley Brundage, Professor in GW’s Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences Department

For high school students and others interested in learning about GW's undergraduate programs and admission process, GW will have a representative from our Undergraduate Admissions office at our booth Thursday (6:30pm-8pm) and Friday (9am-5pm).