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

Selected Events in February 2025

Click on each event title below to access meeting details, an agenda, and registration information, or contact the Office of News and Public Information (email news@nas.edu). Reporters should register for all meetings. 

Find more National Academies events at https://www.nationalacademies.org/events.  

Approaches for Assessing and Communicating the Quality of National Statistics
Feb. 3 and 20
The federal statistical system produces statistics and data products that inform decision-making at all levels of government as well as for businesses and individuals. In response to the need for faster data gathering, several federal statistical agencies launched quick-turnaround data collections. However, these new methods present challenges for effectively communicating quality profiles for statistical products. This workshop series will discuss approaches to characterizing and communicating the quality of national statistics and statistical data.  

Clinicians Leading Systemwide Environmental Sustainability Transformation
Feb. 4
Part of a series from the NAM’s Climate Collaborative, this webinar will explore how clinicians can lead systemwide sustainability initiatives in health care and build on strategies to drive organizational and systemic change.  

The Practice of Nature-Based Solutions
Feb. 4 and 5
This forum will bring together national leaders and practitioners to discuss innovations in the application of nature-based solutions for hazard mitigation and climate adaptation. Discussions will focus on overcoming challenges in scaling nature-based solutions and finding collaborative, equitable solutions.  

Higher Education’s Path to Sustainability and Resilience
Feb. 5
This workshop will explore potential mechanisms to advance the role of the higher education sector in enabling transformational actions to achieve national and global sustainability and resilience goals.  

Pathways to Health Equity: Exploring Systems Impact and Shared Solutions
Feb. 6 and 7
This meeting will highlight the NAM Culture of Health Program’s efforts in advancing health equity over the past decade; explore the underlying factors driving health disparities; and provide a space for discussion on how to transform policy, practice, and research to become more equitable with a focus on root causes of inequities.  

State of the Science and the Future of Cumulative Impact Assessment
Feb. 11 and 12
This session will facilitate discussion with tribal members local to Denver, Colorado, about cumulative impacts assessment and their experiences.  

Incorporating Sustainable Food Practices
Feb. 19
Part of a series from the NAM’s Climate Collaborative, this webinar will focus on best practices for reducing emissions from food services, including promoting locally sourced, plant-based menu items, implementing food waste reduction strategies, and reducing single-use packaging.  

Building Access to Tomorrow’s Medicines: Bringing Together Humans, Robots, and Artificial Intelligence
Feb. 20 and 21
This workshop will explore the potential of AI and machine learning in chemical sciences and drug discovery. This event will bring together researchers, policymakers, and stakeholders to examine how AI tools can address data biases and democratize pharmaceutical research, potentially reducing drug development costs down from billions of dollars and decades of work. The workshop will discuss AI’s role in expanding research capacity, particularly for rare diseases, while exploring critical challenges such as preventing health care disparities and ensuring equitable access to advanced technological resources.  

Navigating the Benefits and Risks of Publishing Biological Studies that Use AI
Feb. 20 and 21
This workshop will examine the benefits and biosecurity risks of communicating studies that use computational modeling and generative AI to understand and design biological systems. Participants will explore existing policies and guidance on dual use research of concern and pathogens of pandemic potential, challenges in balancing the benefits and risks of publishing life sciences research, the relevance of ongoing AI safety efforts, and policy options.  

Creating a Safety Culture in Undergraduate Education
Feb. 27
A strong safety culture can dramatically reduce incidents at construction sites and worksites, but most undergraduates are not exposed to safety culture in their curricula. This symposium will explore the importance of an education in ethics for future industry leaders, as well as teaching concepts for fostering a culture of safety within an organization.  

Vital Directions for Health & Health Care: Priorities for 2025
Feb. 27
Published every four years to coincide with federal leadership transitions, the NAM’s Vital Directions for Health and Health Care series presents the top health policy needs for the nation. This event will focus on the 2025 edition, published Jan. 22 in Health Affairs, which offers expert analysis of six key priorities: transforming health care payment and delivery; integrating AI into health care; modernizing public health; addressing the health impacts of climate change; improving women’s health; and advancing the biomedical research enterprise.  

Reports Scheduled for Release in February

Release dates for 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.  

2025-2035 Decadal Survey of Ocean Sciences for the National Science Foundation
This decadal survey will advise the National Science Foundation on investments in research, infrastructure, and workforce development. The report will present a research and infrastructure strategy to advance understanding of the ocean’s role in the Earth system and develop the capacity to respond nimbly as priorities change and new opportunities emerge over the next decade.  

Evaluating the Effects of Opioids and Benzodiazepines on All-Cause Mortality in Veterans
Veterans treated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs have higher rates of chronic pain, traumatic brain injury, post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, substance use disorder, and accompanying mental health problems than civilians do due to the effects of active duty and combat-related injuries, among other potential predisposing factors. These often co-occurring conditions increase the risk for suicidal ideation and suicide. Veterans may be prescribed opioids (for pain) and benzodiazepines (for anxiety or insomnia). This report will evaluate the effects of opioids and benzodiazepines on all-cause mortality of veterans, including suicide.  

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FOR REPORTERS

• The National Academies’ Newsroom

• PNAS in the News | Register to receive embargoed material from the PNAS News Office

• Reports and other publications from the National Academies

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