ScienceWhys: Questions at the Confluence of Science and Ethics

Didn’t think collecting could be more than just a hobby?

Lisa Heldke—Director of the Nobel Conference and Professor of Philosophy at Gustavus, interviews entomological taxonomist and evolutionary biologist Jessica Ware—Associate Curator of Invertebrate Zoology at the American Museum of Natural History. Her research focuses on the identification and grouping of insects to assess how different species have evolved over time and across geographical locations. Ware is also one of the founding members of Entomologists of Color, which aims to support POC in the field of entomology and encourage more participation.

In this interview, Ware helps us understand the value that collecting insects and studying entomology have held throughout history. This discussion highlights how people across time and cultures have been fascinated by insects, and that this curiosity has opened up doors for us to evaluate biodiversity and population change into today. Ware also emphasizes the importance of more accessible entomological collections and paths to studying entomology going forward. Sparking both wonder and critical questions about the natural world can draw in new perspectives to help solve the world’s most pressing issues—many of which are intertwined with insects.

A podcast takeover by students in a course dedicated to helping plan the Nobel Conference, and taught by conference co-chair, biology professor Margaret Bloch Qazi. This episode explores the roles insects play as vectors of disease.

How can insects help with feeding a hungry world?

Lisa Heldke—Director of the Nobel Conference and Professor of Philosophy at Gustavus, interviews molecular biologist and plant pathologist Segenet Kelemu—Director of the International Center for Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE) in Nairobi, Kenya. Her research focuses on the role of insects in eliminating food insecurity and poverty, alongside improving agricultural practices. Through her leadership, she aims to expand the projects of ICIPE and to model sustainability on a global scale.

In this interview, Kelemu explores her “one-health” approach—how interconnected ecological issues can be tackled at once for the benefit of the whole environment. This discussion highlights the importance of integrated systems for the future of worldwide sustainability and food security, along with advocating for engaging more young people and women in scientific fields. 

Have you ever eaten an insect…on purpose?

The odds are you probably haven’t, but Julie Lesnik aims to change that. In fact, Lesnik believes that people must begin to overcome this disgust felt towards insects in order to win out against climate change, population growth, and dwindling resources. Lesnik researches the roles that insects have played as food in our prehistoric ancestors bringing together anthropology, paleontology, and biology. Additionally, she utilizes those works to help normalize and encourage people to try eating insects, at least those of us who are not part of the 2 billion people who do not have insects in our diet yet.

In this interview, Lisa Heldke talks to Julie Lesnik about how those two sides of Lesnik’s work interact. They explore how scientists came to the conclusion that early hominids did, in fact, regularly consume insects, how anthropology can be decolonized, why some people are disgusted by the thought of insects as a food source, and how we can overcome that disgust.

A podcast takeover by students in a course dedicated to helping plan the Nobel Conference, and taught by conference co-chair, biology professor Margaret Bloch Qazi. This episode explores the roles insects can play in the future of food security for the world.

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A podcast takeover by students in a course dedicated to helping plan the Nobel Conference, and taught by conference co-chair, biology professor Margaret Bloch Qazi. This episode explores the role climate change and other factors play in the loss of insect species.

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Didn't think insects could be relatable?

Lisa Heldke—Director of the Nobel Conference and Professor of Philosophy at Gustavus, interviews chemical ecologist Shannon Olsson—faculty member at the National Centre for Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research. Her research is focused on understanding the perspective of insects through interdisciplinary methods and empathetic approaches. Olsson is the principal investigator at the Naturalist Inspired Chemical Ecology (NICE) Lab, which aims to tackle questions centered around the perspectives and behaviors of other lifeforms, with a focus on insects. 

In this interview, Olsson helps us think about how policy, science, and individuals can benefit from thinking about the perspectives of insects and other lifeforms—taking our similarities and differences into account. This discussion highlights the value in considering how life has evolved out in nature rather than solely in a lab, and how this knowledge can drive important developments going forward, such as sustainability efforts.

Lisa Heldke, Professor of Philosophy at Gustavus and Director, The Nobel Conference, introduces the 2023 topic. 

Humans’ lives are inextricably connected with insects’, in ways that both benefit and harm us (and them). Insects also have their own lives that have nothing to do with us humans–but from which we might be able to learn a great deal. If we observe, contemplate, and recreate facets of insects’ ways in the world, we may find in their lives the inspiration to constructively and creatively address many of the challenges of our time

Daniel Eisenberg’s  campus host, Vita Faychuk talks about why she is looking forward to the Nobel Conference.

ScienceWhys is the podcast of the Nobel Conference. Listen to Dr. Lui’s lecture and participation in panel discussion at the 2022 Nobel Conference, Mental Health (In)Equity and Young People, at Gustavus Adolphus College September 28 & 29, 2022.

How can entire college communities best support the mental health of young people?

Lisa Heldke, Director of the Nobel Conference and Professor of Philosophy at Gustavus interviews Daniel Eisenberg, Professor, Department of Health Policy and Management, UCLA.

ScienceWhys is the podcast of the Nobel Conference. Listen to Dr. Eisenberg’s lecture and participation in panel discussion at the 2022 Nobel Conference, Mental Health (In)Equity and Young People, at Gustavus Adolphus College September 28 & 29, 2022.

Daniel Eisenberg’s research explores methods of investment in mental health services and uses research to create and disseminate equitable and inclusive mental health interventions and programs for youth. He serves as the director of the Healthy Minds Network for Research on Adolescent and Young Adult Mental Health.

Nic Rider’s campus hosts talk about why they’re looking forward to the Nobel Conference.

Professor Darsa Donelan and Gustavus Adolphus College student Jay Michelizzi  share a conversation with Lisa Heldke, Director of the Nobel Conference.

ScienceWhys is the podcast of the Nobel Conference. Listen to Dr. Rider’s lecture and participation in panel discussion at the 2022 Nobel Conference, Mental Health (In)Equity and Young People, at Gustavus Adolphus College September 28 & 29, 2022.

Lisa Heldke, Director of the Nobel Conference and Professor of Philosophy at Gustavus interviews G. Nic Rider, Assistant Professor, Program in Human Sexuality and Coordinator, Adult Transgender Health Services Program, Program in Human Sexuality, University of Minnesota

ScienceWhys is the podcast of the Nobel Conference. Listen to Dr. Rider’s lecture and participation in panel discussion at the 2022 Nobel Conference, Mental Health (In)Equity and Young People, at Gustavus Adolphus College September 28 & 29, 2022.

G. Nic Rider’s scholarly work focuses on health disparities, minority stressors, and care utilization among LGBTQ individuals and documents the critical need for high-quality prevention and intervention strategies for this underserved community. Rider also serves as the coordinator of the Adult Transgender Health Services Program at the University of Minnesota and is an executive board member of the Asian American Psychological Association’s Division on LGBTQ+ issues.

Priscilla Lui’s campus hosts talk about why they’re looking forward to the Nobel Conference.

Professor Heidi Meyer and Gustavus Adolphus College student Lily Torres Fernandez share a conversation with Lisa Heldke, Director of the Nobel Conference.

ScienceWhys is the podcast of the Nobel Conference. Listen to Dr. Lui’s lecture and participation in panel discussion at the 2022 Nobel Conference, Mental Health (In)Equity and Young People, at Gustavus Adolphus College September 28 & 29, 2022.

Lisa Heldke, Director of the Nobel Conference and Professor of Philosophy at Gustavus interviews Priscilla Lui, Associate Professor of Psychology, Southern Methodist University.

In her discussion about everyday racism or microaggressions, Lui mentions the original paper that discussed microaggressions.

Manuela Barreto’s campus hosts talk about why they’re looking forward to the Nobel Conference.

Professor Thia Cooper shares a conversation with Lisa Heldke, Director of the Nobel Conference.

ScienceWhys is the podcast of the Nobel Conference. Listen to Dr. Barreto’s lecture and participation in panel discussion at the 2022 Nobel Conference, Mental Health (In)Equity and Young People, at Gustavus Adolphus College September 28 & 29, 2022.

Lisa Heldke, Director of the Nobel Conference and Professor of Philosophy at Gustavus interviews Manuela Barreto, Professor of Social and Organizational Psychology, University of Exeter.

ScienceWhys is the podcast of the Nobel Conference. Listen to Dr. Barreto’s lecture and participation in panel discussion at the 2022 Nobel Conference, Mental Health (In)Equity and Young People, at Gustavus Adolphus College September 28 & 29, 2022.

Manuela Barreto’s research focuses on the social determinants of health and well-being. She investigates the relationships between identity development, discrimination, culture, and outcomes related to mental health. Barreto explores these variables through the lens of social relationships and loneliness across the lifespan. She was one of the lead researchers in The Loneliness Experiment, the world’s largest study of loneliness, which found that young people reported the highest incidence of loneliness.

Joseph Gone’s campus hosts talk about why they’re looking forward to the Nobel Conference.

Professor Nissa Parmar shares a conversation with Lisa Heldke, Director of the Nobel Conference.

ScienceWhys is the podcast of the Nobel Conference. Listen to Dr. Gone’s lecture and participation in panel discussion at the 2022 Nobel Conference, Mental Health (In)Equity and Young People, at Gustavus Adolphus College September 28 & 29, 2022.

Learn more about indigenous community members who alter mental health services to fit a broader swath of their community.

Lisa Heldke, Director of the Nobel Conference and Professor of Philosophy at Gustavus interviews Joseph P. Gone, Professor of Anthropology and of Global Health and Social Medicine, Harvard University.

ScienceWhys is the podcast of the Nobel Conference. Listen to Dr. Gone’s lecture and participation in panel discussion at the 2022 Nobel Conference, Mental Health (In)Equity and Young People, at Gustavus Adolphus College September 28 & 29, 2022.

Joseph P. Gone investigates facets of mental health in Indigenous communities and explores the interplay between culture, the self, and social relations. He has collaborated with American Indian and other Indigenous communities to rethink community based mental health services and to harness traditional culture and spirituality for advancing indigenous well-being.

Brendesha Tynes’s campus hosts talk about why they’re looking forward to the Nobel Conference.

Professor Amy Vizenor and Gustavus Adolphus College students Cara Gardner and Dayna Krause share a conversation with Lisa Heldke, Director of the Nobel Conference.

During our discussion, Dayna mentioned the work of psychologists Kenneth and Mamie Clark, whom she first learned about in her high school psychology class. Here’s Brendesha Tynes herself, discussing the impact of that research: https://www.apa.org/science/about/psa/2015/12/brendesha-tynes 

ScienceWhys is the podcast of the Nobel Conference. Listen to Dr. Tynes’s lecture and participation in panel discussion at the 2022 Nobel Conference, Mental Health (In)Equity and Young People, at Gustavus Adolphus College September 28 & 29, 2022.

Learn more about young people’s experiences of technology, and the impact those experiences have, especially for Black and Brown youth.

Lisa Heldke, Director of the Nobel Conference and Professor of Philosophy at Gustavus interviews Brendesha Tynes, Dean’s Professor of Equity and Professor of Education and Psychology, University of Southern California.

ScienceWhys is the podcast of the Nobel Conference. Listen to Dr. Tynes’ lecture and participation in panel discussion at the 2022 Nobel Conference, Mental Health (In)Equity and Young People, at Gustavus Adolphus College September 28 & 29, 2022.

Meryl Alper’s campus hosts talk about why they’re looking forward to the Nobel Conference.

Professor Sarah Wolter and Gustavus Adolphus College student Abby Ludwig share a conversation with Lisa Heldke, Director of the Nobel Conference.

ScienceWhys is the podcast of the Nobel Conference. Listen to Dr. Alper’s lecture and participation in panel discussion at the 2022 Nobel Conference, Mental Health (In)Equity and Young People, at Gustavus Adolphus College September 28 & 29, 2022.

Learn more about how kids on the autism spectrum use technology and social media.

Lisa Heldke, Director of the Nobel Conference and Professor of Philosophy at Gustavus interviews Meryl Alper, Associate Professor of Communication Studies, Northeastern University.

ScienceWhys is the podcast of the Nobel Conference. Listen to Dr. Alper’s lecture and participation in panel discussion at the 2022 Nobel Conference, Mental Health (In)Equity and Young People, at Gustavus Adolphus College September 28 & 29, 2022.

Meryl Alper’s research explores the social and cultural implications of communication technologies. She considers digital media as both an opportunity and a challenge for young people with disabilities and their families; her forthcoming book focuses on young people with autism. Her research lies at the intersection of communication, science and technology, and disability studies.

Paul Mayewski,  director and professor of the Climate Change Institute at the University of Maine, has done climate research at all three “poles”--the North Pole, the South Pole, and Everest. He discusses the transformation of climate science during his career, and his work to gather evidence for the possibility for the climate to change abruptly.