Sci on the Fly

AAAS S&T Policy Fellows

A production of the AAAS Science & Technology Policy Fellows, the Sci on the Fly podcast helps explain and illuminate the best stories shaping the world of science policy.

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October 2 · 50 min
The Midwest's Response to Data Centers
As the AI boom continues, development of massive gigawatt-scale data centers has spread to regions in the United States beyond "Data Center Alley." The Midwest, with its abundant fresh water and inexpensive energy, is no exception. In this episode, host Emilie Lozier speaks with Anna Haensch, research associate professor at UW-Madison's Data Science Institute, and Kavi Chintam, Vote Solar campaign manager for Illinois, about how communities and policymakers in their states are responding to data center expansion at multiple scales. This podcast does not necessarily reflect the views of AAAS, its Council, Board of Directors, officers, or members. AAAS is not responsible for the accuracy of this material. AAAS has made this material available as a public service, but this does not constitute endorsement by the association. Image credit: From Wikimedia Commons User: Vmenkov
September 15 · 47 min
Vaccination Policy and Scientific Understanding in the Post-COVID Era
In this episode of Sci on the Fly, host Andrea Henle talks with Dr. Michael Osterholm, infectious disease expert and Executive Director of the Vaccine Integrity Project, about our nation's response during the COVID-19 pandemic, communicating science in times of uncertainty, and what it will take to be better prepared for future outbreaks. They also dive into today's rapidly shifting vaccination policy landscape and how the Vaccine Integrity Project is working to cut through misinformation by providing transparent, evidence-based resources that help the public and policymakers make informed decisions. Learn more about the Vaccine Integrity Project and access its resources at: https://vaxintegrity.cidrap.umn.edu/ This podcast does not necessarily reflect the views of AAAS, its Council, Board of Directors, officers, or members. AAAS is not responsible for the accuracy of this material. AAAS has made this material available as a public service, but this does not constitute endorsement by the association.
June 10 · 40 min
Biosecurity in the Era of Science Fiction: AIxBio and Project Paraphrase with Bruce Wittmann
It seems like every week there's another headline about a breakthrough in AIxBio: the intersection of artificial intelligence and biological science. AI is being applied to accomplish feats that sound like science fiction. It's being used to control laboratories, connect with our brains, and even create new viruses. But is there a lesson to be learned in science fiction? In this episode, host Shane Reader calls up Bruce Wittmann, Principal Applied Scientist at Microsoft, to discuss how AI-powered biological tools work, the ways they're being applied in biological research, and what he did when he discovered a biological "zero day" vulnerability that could have potentially empowered bad actors. This podcast does not necessarily reflect the views of AAAS, its Council, Board of Directors, officers, or members. AAAS is not responsible for the accuracy of this material. AAAS has made this material available as a public service, but this does not constitute endorsement by the association.
May 12 · 39 min
Implementing Semiconductor Industrial Policy with Speed
The CHIPS and Science Act was among the most ambitious pieces of industrial policy legislation in decades, allocating tens of billions of dollars towards building domestic capacity for semiconductor manufacturing and reducing reliance on foreign supply chains. While passing the bill was a monumental feat, implementing the policy is a whole separate challenge. In this episode, host Angela Cleri speaks with Mike Schmidt, the former Director of the CHIPS Program Office to talk about the challenges and successes of executing large-scale industrial policy within systems of government that are not designed to move fast. This podcast does not necessarily reflect the views of AAAS, its Council, Board of Directors, officers, or members. AAAS is not responsible for the accuracy of this material. AAAS has made this material available as a public service, but this does not constitute endorsement by the association.
March 26 · 30 min
State of U.S. Energy Industry in 2026
What does the U.S. energy industry look like one year into the second Trump Administration? Sci on the Fly host, Angela Cleri welcomes Danielle Lemmon, a strategy and energy consultant, to break down the headlines. From the massive power demands of the AI revolution to the kitchen-table issue of energy affordability, they dive into some of the biggest topics in energy today. This podcast does not necessarily reflect the views of AAAS, its Council, Board of Directors, officers, or members. AAAS is not responsible for the accuracy of this material. AAAS has made this material available as a public service, but this does not constitute endorsement by the association.
Oct 9, 2025 · 46 min
From Hype to Headwinds: What's Next for U.S. Clean Hydrogen?
Clean hydrogen is one of many key components of the path to decarbonization, with emissions-intensive hydrogen currently used in several industrial sectors. Over the past few years, the Biden Administration and Congress had made massive investments into accelerating nationwide growth of a clean hydrogen industry and many countries around the world were following suit to keep up with U.S. innovation. However, since the start of the second Trump Administration, the future is uncertain for many of these policy incentives, and project developers and investors are unsure how to respond. In this episode of Sci on the Fly, current AAAS STPF Executive Branch Fellow Angela Cleri speaks with STPF alumna Rachel Starr, a current Senior U.S. Policy Manager on Hydrogen and Transportation Decarbonization at Clean Air Task Force, about how the clean hydrogen industry has been shaped by these policies and what the future looks like. This podcast does not necessarily reflect the views of AAAS, its Council, Board of Directors, officers, or members. AAAS is not responsible for the accuracy of this material. AAAS has made this material available as a public service, but this does not constitute endorsement by the association.
Aug 29, 2025 · 31 min
Bridging the Gap: How Engaged Research Connects Science to Real-World Impact
In this episode of Sci on the Fly, host Connie Bolte, current Executive Branch Fellow at the National Science Foundation, speaks with Dr. Angela Bednarek, who leads Pew Charitable Trusts' scientific advancement portfolio. Dr. Bednarek's AAAS STPF Fellowship at the U.S. Department of State revealed how researchers often failed to provide timely, relevant information to policymakers grappling with complex environmental issues. This experience led her to establish the Impact Funders Forum, a global collaborative that brings together funders across diverse fields to develop more effective strategies for supporting policy-relevant research. The conversation explores "engaged research," a collaborative approach that involves stakeholders throughout the entire research process, from co-developing research questions to ongoing implementation. Dr. Bednarek emphasizes a fundamental shift in researcher mindset: moving from "how can my research help" to "what challenges do decision-makers face, and how can I design research to address those specific needs." While these approaches aren't entirely new, there is growing recognition of their necessity for tackling complex societal challenges in an increasingly interconnected world. This podcast does not necessarily reflect the views of AAAS, its Council, Board of Directors, officers, or members. AAAS is not responsible for the accuracy of this material. AAAS has made this material available as a public service, but this does not constitute endorsement by the association.
Aug 11, 2025 · 32 min
Rooted in Language and Community
Rooted in Language and Community: Supporting Multilingual Learners In this episode of the AAAS STPF Sci on the Fly podcast, AAAS STPF alumna and RAICES Principal Investigator (PI) Heather Olson Beal sits down with two co-PIs of the RAICES team, Dr. Chrissy Cross and Dr. Marisol Diaz, to discuss the importance of creating productive learning environments for English learners and multilingual students. Established in 2023, Project Raices is the short-hand name for the Reaching All Individuals and Communities to Establish Success in Language Learning Grant. Raíces means roots in Spanish. Much like roots, the name was intentionally chosen to highlight the interconnectedness of language, culture, and family networks that are needed to grow successful academic achievement, language acquisition and school-community partnerships. To find out more about project RAICES please visit https://www.sfasu.edu/project-raices. En este episodio del podcast AAAS STPF Sci on the Fly, Heather Olson Beal, exbecaria del programa STPF y la investigadora principal del Proyecto RAICES, se sienta con dos colegas, co-investigadoras principales, Chrissy Cross y Marisol Diaz, para discutir la importancia de crear entornos de aprendizaje productivos para estudiantes multilingües en proceso de adquirir el inglés. Establecido en 2022, Proyecto RAICES es el nombre abreviado en inglés (Reaching All Individuals and Communities to Establish Success in Language Learning): Alcanzando a todos los individuos y comunidades para establecer el éxito en el aprendizaje de idiomas. Al igual que raíces, el nombre fue elegido intencionalmente para resaltar la interconexión del idioma, la cultura, y las redes familiares que se necesitan para el éxito académico, la adquisición del language, y las asociaciones entre la escuela y la comunidad. This podcast does not necessarily reflect the views of AAAS, its Council, Board of Directors, officers, or members. AAAS is not responsible for the accuracy of this material. AAAS has made this material available as a public service, but this does not constitute endorsement by the association.
Jul 25, 2025 · 50 min
CHIPS and Science Act: Landmark Legislation Unleashing American Innovation and Competitiveness
The CHIPS and Science Act is one of the landmark pieces of legislation relaunching American industrial policy. The legislation led to the creation of NSF's first new directorate in 30 years and the formation of regional innovation hubs, expanding training and workforce development opportunities nationwide. The legislation also authorized specific federal investments for STEM education and workforce development that can support the full workforce stack. In this AAAS STPF Sci on the Fly podcast episode, current AAAS-ASGCT Congressional Policy Fellow Adriana Bankston speaks with key individuals who crafted the legislation and have worked on implementation in multiple sectors: STPF alum Dahlia Sokolov (Congress), Kei Koizumi (formerly OSTP), Travis York (AAAS) and Michael Holland (U Pitt). This podcast episode covers the legislation's journey from development to implementation, including stakeholder engagement and the role of public-private partnerships, framing the legislation in current times and what we can expect in the future. This podcast does not necessarily reflect the views of AAAS, its Council, Board of Directors, officers, or members. AAAS is not responsible for the accuracy of this material. AAAS has made this material available as a public service, but this does not constitute endorsement by the association.
Jul 9, 2025 · 34 min
Dr. Berry Goes to Washington (and Brings His AI Expertise with Him)
Every year, AAAS Congressional Fellows travel to the Hill to bring their expertise of STEM and evidence-based decision-making into the offices of senators, representatives and committees. From the outside, the Hill can feel opaque and its inner workings are hard to understand, especially to academic researchers. On this episode of Sci on the Fly, host and current fellow Mark Feuer DiTusa sits with current fellow Dr. K Joel Berry, a recently retired professor of mechanical engineering from Kettering University in Flint, to learn more about his time in Senator Mark Kelly's office, what it's like to be a scientist fellow joining a policy office, the bills he's writing, and how being in Congress in this particular moment in history speaks to him. This podcast does not necessarily reflect the views of AAAS, its Council, Board of Directors, officers, or members. AAAS is not responsible for the accuracy of this material. AAAS has made this material available as a public service, but this does not constitute endorsement by the association.
Apr 18, 2025 · 36 min
Science Under Siege (and What We Can Do)
Since the start of the second Trump Administration, a wave of executive actions has frozen research funding, slashed the federal science workforce, and erased publicly available data. What does this mean for the future of U.S. research—and the scientists caught in the crossfire? In this episode of Sci on the Fly, host Angela Cleri sits down with Marisa Vertrees from the Union of Concerned Scientists to break down the threats facing the scientific enterprise, the historical importance of funding research, and what can be done to fight back. This podcast does not necessarily reflect the views of AAAS, its Council, Board of Directors, officers, or members. AAAS is not responsible for the accuracy of this material. AAAS has made this material available as a public service, but this does not constitute endorsement by the association.
Apr 15, 2025 · 2 min
Intro: AAAS STPF Sci on the Fly
Welcome to AAAS STPF Sci on the Fly, a blog and podcast run by fellows of the Science & Technology Policy Fellowships! Sci on the Fly promotes public understanding of science and policy. It provides STPF current and alumni fellows an opportunity to gain vital experience in writing and podcasting for lay audiences. Launched in 2013, Sci on the Fly is the brain child of fellows Lynn Adams, Judy Keen and Lynn Hull. The first podcast was published by fellow Beth Linas in 2016. Fellows are all about communicating science!
Mar 5, 2025 · 35 min
Unleashing (or restraining?) American Energy
Just over a month into the second Trump Administration, there is a lot of uncertainty in the energy sector around how the new policy landscape may affect the momentum of the clean energy transition. In this episode, current AAAS STPF fellow Mark Feuer DiTusa speaks with Danielle Lemmon, a current energy consultant and former AAAS Executive Branch Fellow, about the impact of the new administration and Congress on the clean energy sector, and what we should be paying attention to moving forward. This podcast does not necessarily reflect the views of AAAS, its Council, Board of Directors, officers, or members. AAAS is not responsible for the accuracy of this material. AAAS has made this material available as a public service, but this does not constitute endorsement by the association.
Jul 16, 2024 · 41 min
Storytelling: A Way to Rebuild Science in the Public Mind
This special storytelling episode is filled with AAAS STPF fellows sharing personal, funny, enlightening, and science-based stories. The STEAM Team Affinity Group and Sci on the Fly recently co-sponsored a workshop for current AAAS STPF fellows and alumni titled, "Storytelling: A Way to Rebuild Science in the Public Mind". This event was designed to promote the use of storytelling as a means for public engagement in science. We hosted an interactive workshop geared toward helping fellows find their storytelling voice, beginning with a 90-minute interactive workshop led by the non-profit Story Collider, followed by breakout rooms where fellows worked with each other in crafting their unique short stories. At the end of the day, participants had the opportunity to share their story on stage to a live audience. In this episode, we present six stories from our workshop participants. You'll hear about women's work in ancient Athens, belief in the human capacity for growth, important life lessons from an Indian children's tale, learn that being volatile can be a good thing, understand how essential culturally relevant science communication can be, and maybe even finally learn the difference between left and right. This podcast does not necessarily reflect the views of AAAS, its Council, Board of Directors, officers, or members. AAAS is not responsible for the accuracy of this material. AAAS has made this material available as a public service, but this does not constitute endorsement by the association.
Jun 20, 2024 · 27 min
Reclaiming Heritage as a Mixtec Scholar: A Conversation with Dr. Omar Aguilar
In this episode, AAAS STPF fellow Jose Hurtado sits down with Dr. Omar Aguilar, a Mixtec archaeologist from Oaxaca, to discuss his innovative approach to science communication through the lens of his film "Sacred Skins." Dr. Aguilar shares his journey of reappropriating Mixtec heritage and language, the challenges of balancing academic research with community ownership, and the powerful impact of reclaiming indigenous knowledge systems. Join us as we explore how alternative methods can bridge cultural gaps and foster a deeper understanding of the rich history of the Ñuu Savi people. The co-founder of Colectivo Nchivi Ñuu Savi (People of the Community of the Rain), Dr. Aguilar is also the director of the digital project "Códices Mixtecos." Additionally, he directs the Ñuu Savi Culture and Language project within The Americas Research Network (ARENET). Dr. Aguilar is also a founding member of the Universidad Autónoma Comunal de Oaxaca (UACO) and has been a member of Mexico's National System of Researchers since 2022. He has received numerous accolades, including the 2016 INAH Award, the National Youth Award in 2019, and the 2021 INAH Award for his doctoral dissertation. He also conceptualized and co-created the app Códices Mixtecos.
Jun 20, 2024 · 26 min
Navigating AI Policy and Ethics with Dr. Ravit Dotan
In this podcast, we explore the rapidly evolving landscape of AI policy and ethics with Dr. Ravit Dotan. With AAAS STPF fellow Jose Hurtado, the two begin by discussing how AI policy has become a major topic in recent headlines, sharing insights on the importance of integrating ethics into AI development and policymaking. They delve into the challenges federal agencies and organizations face in defining AI and how existing laws can be adapted to cover AI advancements, and further address concerns about the dominance of organizations with extensive computing. Towards the end of the conversation, Dr. Dotan chats about the future of computer science and software engineering jobs, in light of AI advancements, emphasizing that addressing job displacement is a crucial part of AI ethics. Overall, this podcast underscores the pressing need for strategic and ethical approaches to AI policy and development, highlighting the critical role of clear definitions, inclusive practices, and proactive regulation. This podcast does not necessarily reflect the views of AAAS, its Council, Board of Directors, officers, or members. AAAS is not responsible for the accuracy of this material. AAAS has made this material available as a public service, but this does not constitute endorsement by the association.
Feb 13, 2024 · 31 min
"But Does It Change Anything?": A Conversation with Dr. Irma McClaurin on Science, Policy and Writing to Change the World
"Change minds, change hearts, change behavior, achieve transformation." That's bio-cultural anthropologist Dr. Irma McClaurin's motto and through writing and science communication, she's been able to achieve that. STPF alum Saira Mehmood and current STPF fellow Meryleen Mena, both anthropologists, have a conversation with Irma McClaurin, who is also an STPF alum, about her time in the fellowship and her dynamic career as an engaged anthropologist in both government and academia. The three also chat about the power of the pen and Dr. McClaurin's public writing, which has appeared in numerous publications, such as Ms. Magazine. Dr. McClaurin is a Black feminist trailblazer and founder of the Irma McClaurin Black Feminist Archives at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, was recently featured in the PBS documentary "Zora Neale Hurston: Claiming Space," and is a champion of science communication. She regularly leverages her expertise in the social construction of inequality to share knowledge to academic and non-academic audiences, and she currently sits on the board of the Op-Ed project. This podcast does not necessarily reflect the views of AAAS, its Council, Board of Directors, officers, or members. AAAS is not responsible for the accuracy of this material. AAAS has made this material available as a public service, but this does not constitute endorsement by the association.
Dec 21, 2023 · 36 min
Science Helps Us… Create the Future of Computing
Computing is a ubiquitous part of our everyday lives and rapid advances continue to shape the way we work and live. In the fourth episode of our "Science Helps Us…" series, Dr. Margaret Martonosi, acclaimed computer scientist and leader of the Computer and Information Science and Engineering (CISE) Directorate at the National Science Foundation (NSF), shares her insight into the future of computing with STPF alum Stephanie Gage. Their conversation explores Dr. Martonosi beginnings in computer science, her thoughts on leadership, and how the NSF is thinking about computing in areas such as education, climate, economic equality, personal use of computing, and artificial intelligence. This podcast does not necessarily reflect the views of AAAS, its Council, Board of Directors, officers, or members. AAAS is not responsible for the accuracy of this material. AAAS has made this material available as a public service, but this does not constitute endorsement by the association.
Dec 11, 2023 · 46 min
Rethinking Our Defense Against Unknown Biothreats
Dr. Harshini Mukundan, Program Manager and Scientist for Chemical and Biological Technologies at the Office of National and Homeland Security, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, and visiting Scientist at Los Alamos National Laboratory sat down with host and AAAS STPF fellow Dr. Adejare (Jay) Atanda to discuss her research on pathogen agnostic disease detection and diagnostics, why this is important for biodefense against unknown biothreats, the role of technological innovations in pathogen agnostic detection and diagnostics, limitations of existing technological tools, and the vital importance of public-private partnerships in transforming this field. This conversation also covered the challenges women, people of color and immigrants face as scientists, the importance of mentorship in mitigating these challenges and her own mentorship and advocacy work to educate young girls about STEM careers as a AAAS IF/THEN STEM Ambassador and guest on CBS's "Mission Unstoppable" among other efforts. This podcast does not necessarily reflect the views of AAAS, its Council, Board of Directors, officers, or members. AAAS is not responsible for the accuracy of this material. AAAS has made this material available as a public service, but this does not constitute endorsement by the association.
Aug 17, 2023 · 39 min
Science Helps Us… Bring Nations Together
In the third episode in our "Science Helps Us…" series, we explore how hydrologic science can help bring people to the negotiation table. Water is a resource that defies political boundaries – managing it effectively can serve as a catalyst to international diplomacy. Our three guests highlight the important role that science plays in the shifting landscape of water diplomacy. We discuss science translation, the value of ensuring diverse voices have a seat at the table, and why all data are – to some extent – inherently political. This podcast does not necessarily reflect the views of AAAS, its Council, Board of Directors, officers, or members. AAAS is not responsible for the accuracy of this material. AAAS has made this material available as a public service, but this does not constitute endorsement by the association.

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