2008 World Science Summit

Presented by the World Science Festival and Columbia University, in collaboration with The Aspen Institute
The World Science Summit, the opening event of the 2008 World Science Festival, was an invitation-only conference focusing on the role of science across business, government and public policy. High-level scientists and policy makers as well as business, academic and cultural leaders, exchanged ideas and information about cutting-edge scientific and technological innovations, and explored their potential for impact on the world at large. Summit speakers provided accessible and provocative explorations of the science behind the critical issues we face, focusing on the next wave of opportunities anticipated by scientific advances.
|
|
Keynote AddressNew York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg's keynote address encouraged the Summit's distinguished participants to work together in addressing “the tragic lag between what we know and what we do.” His words set a fitting tone for the start of the Festival program as he discussed the importance of facilitating a connection between science and society. |
![]() |
The Kavli PrizesAn exclusive simulcast from Oslo, Norway named the laureates of the inaugural multimillion dollar Kavli Prizes, awards which honor the world's most prominent researchers in astrophysics, nanoscience, and neuroscience. Astrophysics Prize Nanoscience Prize Neuroscience Prize |
![]() |
The Big, the Small and the ComplexParticipants:
|
![]() |
Radical Science for a Warming PlanetParticipants:
|
![]() |
Science — The New Foreign PolicyParticipants:
|
![]() |
Building a Better BrainParticipants:
|
Roundtable Luncheon
|
Brian Greene, co-founder of the World Science Festival, was joined by Paul Calello, CEO of Investment Banking for Credit Suisse, Principal Sponsor of the Summit and Festival, James Simons, on behalf of the Simons Foundation and Doron Weber of the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, both Founding Benefactors of the Festival, in welcoming guests to the Summit's Roundtable Luncheon. Throughout the luncheon, table leaders guided informal discussions of the following topics: |
![]() |
Small Wonders, Nanotechnology
Participant(s):
- Horst Stormer, Professor of Physics & Applied Physics, Columbia University; Nobel Laureate Physics
Science of Elections
Participant(s):
- Dudley Herschbach, Baird Professor of Science, Harvard University; Nobel Laureate Chemistry
- Steven J. Brams, Professor of Politics, New York University
The Role of the Scientist in SocietyParticipant(s):
|
![]() |
Regenerative Medicine
Participant(s):
- William Haseltine, President, The William A. Haseltine Foundation for Medical Services and the Arts; Chairman and CEO, Haseltine Associates, Ltd.
Quant — The Science of Finance
Participant(s):
- James H. Simons, President, Renaissance Technologies LLC
Science EducationParticipant(s):
|
![]() |
Cancer and Genes
Participant(s):
- Harold Varmus, President and CEO, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center; Nobel Laureate, Medicine
- David Baltimore, Robert A. Millikan Professor of Biology, California Institute of Technology; Nobel Laureate, Medicine
The Unconscious in ControlParticipant(s):
|
![]() |
Brain Enhancement
Participant(s):
- Eric Wassermann, Staff Clinician, Brain Stimulation Unit, NINDS
- Patricia Churchland, President's Professor of Philosophy, University of California, San Diego
Science Without BordersParticipant(s):
|
![]() |
The Truth About Biofuels
Participant(s):
- Frances Beinecke, President, National Resources Defense Council
- F. Sherwood Rowland, Professor of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine; Nobel Laureate, Chemistry
Biominicry
Participant(s):
- Jack Hidary, Chairman, iAmplify
- Bryony Schwan, Executive Director, The Biomimicry Institute
Eco-innovationParticipant(s):
|
![]() |
In The News: World Science Summit
- NY1 News (May 29, 2008): Bloomberg Considers NYC-D.C. Bullet Train At World Science Festival
- The New York Sun (May 29, 2008): Mayor Blames U.S. Policies for Global Shortages at World Science Summit
- Washington Post (May 29, 2008): World Science Festival: U.S. Experts Bemoan Nation's Loss of Stature in the World of Science
- WNYC (May 29, 2008): Mayor Defends Smoking Ban at World Science Summit
- New York Times (May 29, 2008): World Science Summit: Seven Scientists Win First Kavli Prizes
- Scientific American (May 28, 2008): SciAm Observations/World Science Summit: First Biennial Kavli Prizewinners Announced
- MSNBC (May 28, 2008): Spring Fling with Science: Interview with Brian Greene on the World Science Festival
- Ars Technica (May 28, 2008): Oslo/World Science Festival: First Kavli Prize winners in new fields of science announced
- Ars Technica (May 28, 2008): NYC Mayor Mike Bloomberg talks science and policy at the World Science Summit
- Reuters (May 28, 2008): World Science Summit coverage: Seven scientists win first $1 mln Kavli prizes
- New York Times (May 28, 2008): Dot Earth from the World Science Summit: ‘The Tragic Lag Between What We Know and What We Don't’
- Columbia News (May 27, 2008): World Science Festival Opens at Columbia University on May 28
- Science News (May 13, 2008): Like the Nobel, Only Norwegian
The World Science Festival gratefully acknowledges the support of Credit Suisse, Principal Sponsor; and The Kavli Foundation.















