“Reports & Events” is a monthly tip sheet for the news media that highlights selected meetings of interest and reports from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine.

Selected Events in October 2021

All facilities of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine are closed. All gatherings will be held virtually. Click on each event title below to access meeting details, an agenda, and registration information, or contact the Office of News and Public Information (e-mail news@nas.edu). Reporters should register for all meetings. More events can be found at https://www.nationalacademies.org/events.

National Academy of Engineering Annual Meeting
Oct. 2-4
Highlights of NAE’s 57th annual meeting include a forum on engineering responses to climate change and a plenary lecture on artificial intelligence and social consequences delivered by Kate Crawford, research professor at USC Annenberg and senior principal researcher at Microsoft Research Lab–New York City. Other highlights include an introduction of the 2021 class of new members, NAE President John L. Anderson’s address to members, and presentation of the 2021 Simon Ramo Founders Award and Arthur M. Bueche Award.

Improving Diversity of the Genomics Workforce
Oct. 5
Panelists at this event will examine the current state of diversity of the genetics and genomics workforce, structural barriers that have contributed to the exclusion of researchers of color, and potential steps to improve workforce diversity. They will also address the relationship between the lack of diversity in the workforce and patient access to genetic services.

Advances in Genetic and Neuroscience Technologies: Understanding Common and Rare Brain Disorders
Oct. 5 and 6
In recent years, important advances in genetic and neuroscience technologies and approaches have increased our understanding of rare and common brain disorders. At this workshop, stakeholders will discuss the R&D landscape; the future of clinical trials — including the critical need for inclusion of individuals with rare or severe disorders; and the application of “big data” and computational approaches to understand disease mechanisms and help researchers develop better targeted therapies.

 Using Telemental Health Services to Meet the Needs of Children and Youth
Oct. 5-7
This workshop will explore the increased use of telemental health services throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, and consider how they may continue as the pandemic recedes. Speakers will discuss how these services could address disparities for some children, including those living in rural communities or with disabilities — and barriers to telemental services, such as lack of internet access.

Achieving Excellence in Cancer Diagnosis
Oct. 6
There are numerous opportunities to improve cancer diagnosis within the U.S. health care system. Presentations at this workshop will focus on diagnosis and the patient experience, strategies to mitigate disparities in diagnosis and promote equity, novel diagnostic strategies and tools, and a vision for excellence in cancer diagnosis.

Communities, Climate Change, and Health Equity
Oct. 12-14
As the climate crisis intensifies extreme weather events, increases global temperatures, and accelerates sea level rise, communities least able to respond are bearing the greatest burden. This workshop, part of a series, will bring together people from such communities, environmental health experts, resilience practitioners, and climate scientists to discuss climate disparities and environmental justice, and share their visions for the future.

The Weather-Climate Gap: Perspectives on Hazards, Risk, and Vulnerability (With a Twist)
Oct. 13
In this Gilbert F. White Lecture, J. Marshall Shepherd, a leading international expert in weather and climate, will examine the intersection of weather and vulnerability. He will explore the connections between contemporary weather extremes, climate change, and disproportionate exposure in marginalized communities — using the lens of his scholarship, life experiences, and recent events.

Like Wildfire: How Climate Justice Should Change Disaster Response
Oct. 14
The 2021 Henry and Bryna David Lecture will be given by Michael A. Méndez, assistant professor of environmental planning and policy at the University of California, Irvine. Méndez will explore why it is crucial to understand how the increased thread of wildfires amplify existing inequalities, and how to lessen the resulting harms, in particular for the most stigmatized populations, such as undocumented Latino and Indigenous migrants.

Taking Stock of Education Science Standards Implementation
Oct. 14 and 15
This summit will bring together K-12 school leaders and researchers to take stock of the implementation of state science standards. Panel sessions will consider implementation across all states and territories, look at successes and challenges, and identify areas where additional resources or work is needed.

National Academy of Medicine Annual Meeting
Oct. 17 and 18
The National Academy of Medicine’s annual meeting will include a two-day scientific program titled Crossing the Policy and Equity Chasm: Lessons from Compounding Health Crises. The program will feature a keynote address by Eric Lander, director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, as well as remarks from Gina McCarthy, national climate adviser. Sessions will examine actionable policies related to climate change and human health, and lessons learned from compounding crises. In addition to the scientific program, the NAM will welcome the new class of NAM members and fellows and present various awards for 2021.

Promoting Health Equity in Cancer Care
Oct. 25 and 26
This workshop will examine opportunities to improve health equity across the cancer care continuum, from screening and diagnosis to long-term care. Speakers will look at quality and affordability of care; strategies to combat structural racism and implicit bias in cancer care delivery; and new mechanisms to incentivize and measure health equity in cancer care.

Systems and Obesity: Advances and Innovations for Equitable Health and Well-Being
Oct. 28 and 29
This workshop will explore how to advance strategies for sustainable systemwide changes that can inform actionable priorities for individuals, organizations, and policymakers to reduce both incidence and prevalence of obesity. Experts will also discuss patient-provider communication of obesity treatment and solutions.

Reports Scheduled for Release in October
Release dates for the following consensus reports and proceedings from the National Academies depend on successful completion of the review process and publishing schedules. Reporters who would like to be notified when a report is due for release should contact the Office of News and Public Information (e-mail news@nas.edu) and ask to be placed on a contact list.

Communication Strategies for Building Confidence in COVID-19 Vaccines: Addressing Variants and Childhood Vaccination
This rapid expert consultation will draw on the science of risk communications, decision-making, and behavioral economics and psychology to identify actionable guidance that state and local decision-makers can use to communicate with the public and promote uptake of COVID-19 vaccines in light of current and possible emerging variants.

Science and Engineering in Preschool Through Elementary Grades: The Brilliance of Children and the Strengths of Educators
This report will provide guidance on effective approaches to science and engineering instruction in prekindergarten through fifth grade that support the success of all students.

A Mid-Term Assessment of NSF Progress on the 2015 Strategic Vision for Antarctic and Southern Ocean Research
In 2015, the National Academies released a report that recommended three priority research goals for NSF’s Antarctic Program. This new report will evaluate the progress in reaching those goals, and explore recent scientific and technological developments that provide new opportunities to expand this progress.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FOR REPORTERS

• The National Academies’ Newsroom
• PNAS in the News | Register to receive embargoed material from the PNAS News Office
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