2021 AM Header Small
NAS 158th Annual Meeting — Online Public Program
Join the conversation #NAS158 
The Academy's 158th Annual Meeting -- held online from Saturday, April 24 to Sunday, April 25, 2021 -- included scientific sessions that covered a wide range of topics presented by leading US researchers and other experts.
Click the images below to learn more about each session and to view the recorded videos.
Saturday, April 24
 |
President's Address
NAS President Marcia McNutt opened the meeting with her annual address to NAS members. (recording)
 |
COVID-19 Symposium: Strategic Planning for Crises
This symposium focused on the response to the COVID-19 pandemic and its lessons for the future in a series of four panel sessions. Introductory pre-recorded talks now available for each panel. (recording)
Sunday, April 25
 |
Science and Policy: A View from Congress
Select members of Congress discussed the role of science in policymaking with NAS President Marcia McNutt in prerecorded videos. (recording)
 |
Science in the New Administration
Moderated by Kei Koizumi, Acting Director and Chief of Staff, Office of Science and Technology Policy, this session featured discussions with Sethuraman Panchanathan, Director of the National Science Foundation; Francis S. Collins, Director of the National Institutes of Health; Ellen R. Stofan, Under Secretary for Science and Research, Smithsonian Institution; and NAS President Marcia McNutt. (recording)
 |
Rebuilding the Federal Science Workforce
This session highlighted the importance of a stellar scientific workforce in the federal government; shined a spotlight on the importance of having in place the enabling conditions for science to thrive and to inform understanding, policy and action; and highlighted the current opportunity to ‘Build Back Better’. (recording)
 |
Awards Ceremony
This annual ceremony honored the major contributions made by 23 researchers to the physical, biological, and social sciences, including an address by 2021 Public Welfare Medalist Anthony S. Fauci. (recording)
Nobel Prize Summit: Our Planet, Our Future
On April 26-28, immediately following the NAS Annual Meeting, the NAS co-hosted the first Nobel Prize Summit “Our Planet, Our Future.” The summit brought together Nobel laureates and other esteemed leaders in the sciences, policy, business, the youth movement, and the arts to explore actions that can be achieved this decade to put the world on a path to a more prosperous and more sustainable future for all. Drawing upon lessons learned in the global response to the COVID-19 pandemic, participants focused on critical areas key to the future of humanity: fighting climate change and biodiversity loss, reducing inequality, and advancing technological innovation. Special performances by world-class artists combined with opportunities for dialogue and networking sessions rounded out the summit experience.
