FacebookTwitterYoutubeInstagramGoogle Plus

Alan Alda and the Art of Communicating Science

Thursday, February 18, 2021
3:00 pm - 4:00 pm EST

Known for his work in television, theater, and film, Alan Alda is also a passionate advocate of science. Through his years as host of Scientific American Frontiers, his founding of the Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science at Stonybrook University, his collaborations with the World Science Festival and much more, Alda’s devotion to science and the arts has resulted in a programmatic legacy that explores every major field of science, with one unifying goal: to communicate the mystery and marvels of science to audiences of all ages.

In this special event, Alan Alda joins Brian Greene in a delightful conversation about his passion for science and the arts. The program culminates with the presentation of the Kavli Foundation’s first-ever Distinguished Kavli Science Communicator award.

This program is sponsored by The Kavli Prize, which honors scientists for breakthroughs in astrophysics, nanoscience and neuroscience that transform our understanding of the very big, the very small and the very complex. The Kavli Prize is a partnership among The Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters, the Norwegian Ministry of Education and Research and The Kavli Foundation, based in Los Angeles, California.

Host

Brian GreenePhysicist, Author

Brian Greene is a professor of physics and mathematics at Columbia University, and is recognized for a number of groundbreaking discoveries in his field of superstring theory. His books, The Elegant Universe, The Fabric of the Cosmos, and The Hidden Reality, have collectively spent 65 weeks on The New York Times bestseller list.

Read More
  •  

    Alan Alda @ The World Science Festival

    Over the years, Alan Alda has participated in many WSF programs, as an author, a director, a moderator, and a commentator. Click the arrow to watch a few of our favorites.

    *Tina Fey and Alan Alda discuss the art of communication and Alda’s book, “If I Understood You, Would I Have this Look on My Face?

  •  

    WHAT IT MEANS TO BE HUMAN: THE ENIGMA OF ALTRUISM

    Though many animals display cooperative behavior, human cooperation is distinct. Alan Alda hosts E.O. Wilson, Sarah Hrdy and other leading evolutionary biologists, anthropologists and humanitarians as they examine the origins and evolution of human cooperative behavior.

    WATCH NOW

  •  

    Black Holes and Holographic Worlds

    Black holes are gravitational behemoths that dramatically twist space and time. Alan Alda joins Kip Thorne, Robbert Dijkgraaf and other renowned researchers on an odyssey through one of nature’s most spectacular creations, and learn how they are leading scientists to rewrite the rules of reality.

    WATCH NOW

  •  

    Flame Challenge: What is Sound?

    Alan Alda has issued this year’s challenge to the world’s top scientists: What is sound? In an action-packed hour of interactive demonstrations, Alan and a team of communication experts invite the audience to explore what we hear, how we hear, and what that means for different species.

    WATCH NOW

  •  

    The Invisible Reality: The Wonderful Weirdness of the Quantum World

    Proposed a century ago to better explain the mind-bending behavior of the smallest constituents of the universe, quantum theory has implications far beyond the atom. Alan Alda moderates as Brian Greene, Nobel Laureate William Phillips and other leading thinkers and other leading thinkers explore the the astounding weirdness of the quantum world.

    WATCH NOW

  •  

    Dear Albert Highlights: Alan Alda and Brian Greene Discuss Einstein

    World Science Festival co-founder Brian Greene and seven-time Emmy Award–winner Alan Alda muse on Einstein’s Theory of Relativity in a post-performance discussion after a reading of Alda’s play “Dear Albert.”

    WATCH NOW

  •  

    Brains on Trial: Neuroscience and Law

    Join Alan Alda as he moderates a debate among a distinguished group of neuroscientists and legal experts on how and if neuroscience should inform our laws and how we treat criminals.

    WATCH NOW

 

CLEAR + VIVID
WITH ALAN ALDA

With support from The Kavli Foundation, Alan Alda’s Clear+Vivid podcast presents this special series on the power of basic scientific research – from the pure to the practical. What is curiosity-driven research? Why does it matter? How is investing in basic research essential to society?

LISTEN NOW