DeepSummary
The episode features an interview with Dr. Maryam Zaringhalam, a molecular biologist who has transitioned into science advocacy and policy work. She discusses her journey from working in a lab to using her expertise to engage the public on scientific issues and advocate for evidence-based policymaking. Zaringhalam highlights the importance of scientists being involved in public discourse and addressing potential biases that can influence research.
Zaringhalam talks about her fellowship with the American Association for the Advancement of Science, which places scientists in government roles to provide scientific expertise in policymaking. She emphasizes the risk of ignoring scientific evidence, particularly on issues like climate change, and the need for scientists to communicate their work effectively to the public.
The interview also covers Zaringhalam's work with organizations like 500 Women Scientists, which aims to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in science. She encourages early-career scientists to remain hopeful and engaged, despite the challenges they may face, as there are many efforts underway to ensure that science serves the greater public good.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- Scientists should be involved in public discourse and policymaking to ensure that scientific evidence is considered and used responsibly.
- Biases can influence scientific research, and it is important for scientists to recognize and address these biases.
- Promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in the scientific community is crucial for ensuring a variety of perspectives and limiting the impact of biases.
- Early-career scientists should remain hopeful and engaged, as there are ongoing efforts to ensure that science serves the greater public good.
- Science and public policy are inherently intertwined, and scientists have a responsibility to advocate for the responsible use of evidence.
- Effective communication of scientific research and engagement with the public is essential for increasing scientific literacy and understanding.
- Organizations like 500 Women Scientists and fellowships like the AAAS Science & Technology Policy Fellowship provide opportunities for scientists to get involved in advocacy and policymaking.
- Despite challenges, there are efforts underway to ensure that science serves the interests of society and benefits the greater public.
Top Episodes Quotes
- “A common refrain is that scientists are purely objective, which ignores the fact that scientists are people and we can be trained to recognize our biases in the ways that they're creeping up into our research. But often that's not really something that's very much explored.“ by Speaker A (Maryam Zaringhalam)
- “I think that if we're not engaged in these kinds of conversations, if we're not trying to advocate for the position of evidence in the world around us, and if we're not trying to advocate for the responsible use of evidence, making sure that it is benefiting and serving the greater public, then I really don't understand what the point of what we're doing is.“ by Speaker A (Maryam Zaringhalam)
- “I'd say that science is inherently political. There is no way that you can imagine science existing in a vacuum, because the raw materials that we use for science are the world around us.“ by Speaker A (Maryam Zaringhalam)
- “And so unless we're having these kinds of conversations about the ways that bias affect who gets to do science, then we're really not going to be able to course correct, despite however many fun diversity initiatives we throw out there, despite however many kind of, like, Kumbaya moments that we try to have, unless we're really interrogating the biases that we hold.“ by Speaker A (Maryam Zaringhalam)
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Episode Information
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1/1/19