#science #tech

In this series of talks, Fellows showcased the significant contributions and important issues they have passionately pursued since participating in the Institute.

Laura Manley, Executive Director of Shorenstein Center On Media, Politics, and Public Policy at Harvard University explores the role of technology in democracy building and democratic decline.

Dan Sichel, a Professor of Economics at Wellesley College, talks about the emerging fear of technological advancements replacing humans in the workforce and how it will shape the next generation of workers.

Jonathan Zittrain, the George Bemis Professor of International Law at Harvard Law School, discussed the challenges of the emerging science of artificial intelligence and its future impact.

Carol Dougherty, the Margaret E. Deffenbaugh and LeRoy T. Carlson Professor in Comparative Literature and a professor of classical studies at Wellesley College, explores the intersection between technological advancement and the morals of the story of Prometheus.

Brendan Nyhan, Professor of Government at Dartmouth University, discussed the implications of facts and science in today’s society and why such seemingly reliable concepts can fail to change people’s minds in conversation and debate.

Panagiotis Takis Metaxas: Truth, Trust, and Propaganda

Dick French, the Louise Sherwood McDowell and Sarah Frances Whiting Professor of Astrophysics and a professor of astronomy at Wellesley College, shared his experience working on the 2017 Cassini Mission to Saturn.

Stanley Chang, the Mildred Lane Kemper Professor of Mathematics at Wellesley College expanded the overlap between what we consider the world of math and what we consider the “real” world, demonstrating how mathematical analysis can expand our understanding of global issues.

Amy Banzaert, Director of Engineering Studies and Lecturer in Engineering at Wellesley College, inspired 2018 Albright Fellows to serve society by finding practical solutions to real world problems taking the approach of “fail[ing] fast to succeed sooner”.

Panagiotis Takis Metaxas, Faculty Director of the Albright Institute, welcomed the 2018 Fellows to Wintersession and expanded upon the importance of harnessing technology while navigating truth and trust in our increasingly interconnected world.

Nergis Mavalvala '90, Curtis and Kathleen Marble Professor of Physics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, discussed the history and significance of the search for gravitational waves and her own role on the LIGO project -- an international project to detect these waves.

Heather West '07, Senior Policy Manager, Mozilla discussed some of the challenges (moral and practical) that face those that want to regulate the internet and shared some cases where policy makers can and should take action.

Craig Silverman, Media Editor, BuzzFeed News discussed how fake news originates and spreads online and the lasting impact fake news can have on individuals’ perceptions of truth.

Harry Lewis, Gordon McKay Professor of Computer Science, Harvard University, John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences encouraged Fellows to wrestle with the question of how to balance the benefits and drawbacks of internet anonymity.

Joanne Murray ‘81, Director, Madeleine Korbel Albright Institute for Global Affairs shares her thoughts and encouragement for 2017 Albright Fellows on the first day of Wintersession 2017.

Amy Banzaert, Director of Engineering Studies and Lecturer in Engineering, Wellesley College, inspires 2017 Albright Fellows to serve society by finding practical solutions to real world problems taking the approach of “fail[ing] fast to succeed sooner”.

by Deborah Hurley, Fellow, IQSS, Harvard University