Aspen is a place for leaders to lift their sights above the possessions which possess them. To confront their own nature as human beings, to regain control over their own humanity by becoming more self-aware, more self-correcting, and hence more self-fulfilling.
Science & Society strengthens the relationship between scientific progress and public life.
Science & Society builds the conditions for scientific progress and public life to shape one another by helping people understand science, direct how science is used, and make decisions grounded in evidence. By connecting narrative, institutions, and leadership across sectors, the program improves how knowledge informs collective choices.
As a program of the Aspen Institute, Science & Society draws on the Institute’s convening power, cross-sector networks, and public platforms to bring together leaders from science, policy, industry, and civil society. Launched in 2019 within the Aspen Institute Health, Medicine and Society Program with seed support from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation and Johnson & Johnson, the program is led by a core team of trained scientists working at the intersection of research and public life.
Over seven years, the program has evolved from early-stage initiatives into a civic science infrastructure platform. Initial work tested how narrative, convening, youth engagement, and policy-facing dialogue could improve public interaction with science. The core insight is now clear: scientific progress depends as much on civic systems as on discovery itself.
Today, Science & Society functions as an integrated platform that enables societies to build understanding, shape action, and make decisions grounded in evidence.
The Science & Society Program is guided by an Advisory Council comprised of experts and thought leaders who engage with science in society from myriad angles: academia, education, journalism, public institutions, advocacy, finance, and the arts.
The Science & Society Program is grateful to the following supporters:
Current Program Support
Current Project-Specific Support
Founding Program Support
Past Program Support
Past Project-Specific Support
Stay Connected
At the Science & Society Program, we work from the perspective that science is for everyone. Whether you are a member of the scientific and medical communities, a science communicator, an interested member of the public—or anyone in between—we invite you to join us. Sign up for the Science & Society Program mailing list below to receive the latest news on our upcoming projects and invitations to our public events, delivered straight to your inbox.
