SFIS Newsletter – June 2020

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Convocation goes virtual

Due to the current health crisis, SFIS held its first-ever virtual convocation to celebrate our Spring 2020 graduates. The ceremony featured remarks from Director Dave Guston, selected student speakers Brooke Nelson and Rebecca Monteleone and ASU President Michael Crow.
Watch the full SFIS virtual convocation here.

Augmented reality art sculpture honors Class of 2020

Arizona State University’s Class of 2020 knows what it means to be resilient. They’ve had to adapt to unique circumstances, and they’ve risen to the challenge. They moved to fully remote learning in mid-March due to the COVID-19 pandemic. They’ve navigated fears and anxiety from the global health crisis while socially distant, and their graduation ceremonies were virtual.  An original, augmented reality art sculpture is now paying tribute to those experiences.

Students working at computer

Creating technology leaders to serve the public

The School for the Future of Innovation in Society is launching the Master of Science in Public Interest Technology this August. The online, cross-disciplinary program will train leaders who will imagine, design and use technology for social good. Students will develop the knowledge and skills that will allow them to understand the motivations for and challenges of public interest technology, assess new and emerging technologies for social impact, engage with users, and deploy technologies responsibly. Those interested in the program can discover more about the program and core faculty on the program site. Applications will be open in mid-June. 

Recognition

SFIS School Awards and Poster Jamboree

We celebrated the accomplishments of our SFIS community members with a virtual student research poster jamboree and awards ceremony. This poster jamboree showcased both undergraduate and graduate research, including final projects, theses and dissertations. The SFIS School Awards recognized staff, faculty and students for their contributions to advancing the school’s mission and strengthening our community. See the full list of award winners here.

Rebecca Monteleone

A passion for furthering inclusivity

Rebecca Monteleone has always looked out for others by making sure they felt included. When she noticed that some of her friends with disabilities were being treated differently, she decided to pursue disability studies. After earning bachelor’s and master’s degrees, she came to SFIS for her PhD in Human and Social Dimensions of Science and Technology to research how technology could serve the needs and desires of disabled people. Monteleone was selected as the SFIS Spring 2020 outstanding graduate student. 

Francesca Lascala

ASU graduate finds success through hard work and making the most out of the college experience

College life has been busy for Francesca Lascala, but she isn’t one to shy away from hard work or a challenge. Her drive and determination have led to her success at SFIS. Lascala has earned a Bachelor of Arts in Innovation in Society and a minor in media analysis. She’s in the Accelerated Master’s Degree Program for a Master of Science and Technology Policy degree, and a part of Barrett, The Honors College. Lascala was selected as the SFIS Spring 2020 outstanding undergraduate student. 

Diana Ayton-Shenker

ASU-Leonardo Initiative Executive Director and SFIS Professor of Practice Diana Ayton-Shenker gave a keynote on Bridging Art and Science in March, hosted by the E.U., Vertigo Symposium on ArtSci Residencies. Watch the keynote here

Events

June 5: Summer Digital Community Coffeehouse

June 5: Accelerating Regional Integration through Space Policy

June 11: A Global Strategy for Preventing the Next Pandemic

Publications

Clark Miller 
Where’s Goldbug?
Issues in Science and Technology
May 1, 2020

Clark Miller 
A World Made by Belief
Issues in Science and Technology
May 2, 2020

Timiebi Aganaba-Jeanty
Primer: Existing Norms & Rules on the Moon
Open Lunar Foundation
May 2, 2020

Bobby Sickler
Elon Musk Says Drones Are the Future of War, but He Should Consider Horses
Medium OneZero
May 5, 2020

Erik Fisher 
Interview with Justine Lacey on Responsible Innovation and Future Science in Australia
OMICS
May 7, 2020

Josh Loughman 
An intentional energy transition after COVID-19 will generate gains for climate and society
World Economic Forum 
May 14, 2020

Robert Cook-Deegan
Trump’s coronavirus response proves Congress once again needs its own science advisers
NBC News
May 15, 2020

Heather Ross, Anna Muldoon 
COVID-19 Healthcare Demand Projections: Arizona
medRxiv
May 16, 2020

Christy Spackman 
In smell’s shadow: Materials and politics at the edge of perception
Social Studies of Science
May 17, 2020

Darlene Cavalier 
Preliminary Outcomes from CitSciMonth 2020
SciStarter
May 21, 2020

Heather Ross, Anna Muldoon 
Who Should Serve in America’s Contact Tracing Army?
Slate
May 24, 2020

Andrew Maynard
Maynard on Fear
Transformations
May 28, 2020

In the Media

Alycia de Mesa
ASU faculty and staff work to increase Latino representation
GIOS Sustainability News
April 28, 2020

Katina Michael
Reasons we’re not downloading app
The Queensland Times 
May 1, 2020

Elliot Kemper 
Primer: Policy Analogs and Creating Lunar Futures
Open Lunar Foundation 
May 2, 2020

Elliot Kemper 
Norms and Public Choice Theory on the Moon, a summary of concepts
Open Lunar Foundation 
May 2, 2020

Becca Monteleone 
Toward More Accessible Work Environments
Society of Women Engineers 
May 5, 2020

Brian David Johnson
Aftershock: If coronavirus swells in a second wave later this year, will the nation be ready?
USA TODAY
May 18, 2020

Katina Michael 
Health authorities will not see Liberal MPs’ coronavirus survey results, Premier Steven Marshall says
ABC News
May 23, 2020

Timi Aganaba-Jeanty 
The SpaceX Launch and the Future of Space Law
The Lawfare Podcast
May 26, 2020

Katina Michael
Experts call for government to upgrade COVIDSafe app due to software issues
The Daily Telegraph

Jeremy Babendure
SciTech Institute: Cultivating An Ecosystem Of Conscious STEM Communities
INNOVATE