SMASH18 - Science Media Awards & Summit in the Hub: Full Schedule

8:00am EDT

Welcome Registration

Tuesday September 25, 2018 8:00am - 9:30am EDT
Yawkey Atrium 1 Guest St, Boston MA 02135

9:30am EDT

Keynote: Mary Lou Jepsen

Sponsored by Blue Ant Media
Trained in optical physics, Mary Lou Jepsen’s goal is to see deep into the body with the detail of a high-resolution camera. The implications are broad for both healthcare and, more provocatively, communication directly with thought. With experience at Facebook, Google{x}, and Oculus, she is the founder of four startups and a recognized force for Disruptive Innovation. Jepsen will demo her latest invention with the potential to look deep into your body – and your soul! In conversation with Paula Apsell, Executive Producer of NOVA.

Speakers

Paula S. Apsell

Senior Executive Producer of NOVA and Director, WGBH Science Unit

Paula S. Apsell got her start in broadcasting at WGBH Boston, where she was hired fresh out of Brandeis University to type the public broadcaster’s daily television program logs—a job that Apsell notes is now, mercifully, automated. Within a year, she found her way to WGBH Radio... Read More →

Mary Lou Jepsen

Founder, Openwater

Before founding Openwater, Dr. Jepsen was an engineering executive at Facebook, Oculus, Google and Intel. She has founded four startups, including One Laptop per Child where she was CTO, chief architect and delivered the $100 laptop to mass production. She has been a professor at... Read More →

Session Producers

Pamela Rosenstein

Pamela Rosenstein manages the development of multipart series and tent pole productions for NOVA and the WGBH Science Unit. She supervises the development pipeline of projects for foundation and government funding, overseeing concept development, fundraising strategies, proposal... Read More →

Tuesday September 25, 2018 9:30am - 10:30am EDT
Yawkey Theater 1 Guest St, Boston MA 02135

Session

moderator Paula Apsell

11:00am EDT

Being Human – The Evolving Story of Us

What defines “human” in an age of genetic editing, 3D-printed body parts, and AI? As deep brain stimulation creates the capacity to erase memories and even implant new ones, what happens to our identity and moral compass? How does the integration of human and machine change our very nature, and how do we translate new understanding of ourselves into resonant science stories? Join us for this recurring SMASH favorite.

Speakers

Heather Berlin

Cognitive Neuroscientist and Professor of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

Dr. Heather Berlin is a cognitive neuroscientist and Professor of Psychiatry at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. She practices clinical neuropsychology at Weill Cornell Medicine/New York Presbyterian Hospital in the Department of Neurological Surgery, and is a Visiting... Read More →

Chris Duncan

Assistant Professor of Medicine and Vice President's Clinical and Translational Scholar, University of Utah and Salt Lake City Veterans Hospital

Chris Duncan M.D. is an Assistant Professor of Medicine and Vice President's Clinical and Translational Scholar at the University of Utah and Salt Lake City Veteran's Hospital. He obtained a BA in Russian Literature and Language from Brigham Young University and then pivoted to... Read More →

Graham Townsley

Shining Red Films

Film maker and anthropologist Graham Townsley is twice Emmy-nominated and has a PhD in Anthropology from the University of Cambridge. His films have been shown on PBS, National Geographic TV, the BBC, Channel 4, ARTE and the Discovery Channel. He also writtes screenplays for historical... Read More →

Session Producers

Graham Townsley

Shining Red Films

Tuesday September 25, 2018 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT
Yawkey Theater 1 Guest St, Boston MA 02135

Session

moderator Graham Townsley

12:00pm EDT

Networking Lunch

Tuesday September 25, 2018 12:00pm - 1:30pm EDT
Yawkey Atrium 1 Guest St, Boston MA 02135

Social/Networking Event

12:00pm EDT

VR Exhibit

All sorts of space. Check out stunning AR on Microsoft’s premium Hololens as you check out distant planets and galaxies floating right in front of you in Galaxy Explorer. Or view the work of two SMASH VR panelists: the experimental film Planet ∞ (giant carnivorous tadpoles!) by Momoko Seto and Access: Mars by JPL’s Sasha Samochina. Aspiring astronauts can also explore Mars and practice module landings (and spectacular crashes!) in Hello Mars! Or they can experience weightlessness as they roam the International Space Station in Mission: ISS. Or discover solar system water in Mission: Water.

Thanks to our VR Exhibitors & Contributors for making this happen:

Jeffrey Jacobson from enterprisevr.com presenting Galaxy Explorer on the Microsoft HoloLens

Bill Shribman from WGBH presenting Mission: Water on Windows Mixed Reality

Martha Aimé Cardona providing Oculus Gos and technical support.

Greenland Melting produced by FRONTLINE, Emblematic Group, NOVA, xRez Studio, Realtra, Presented by Amy Gaines and Anne Husted from Frontline and Arlo Perez from NOVA

The Protectors produced by Annapurna Pictures, Here Be Dragons and National Geographic, Headsets provided by National Geographic

My Africa A Passion Planet Production in association with Vision 3 for Conservation International, This is Climate Change: Fire Participant Media, Condition One, Presented by Brookline Interactive Group.

360/Ambisonic Barbershop Quartet, Immigration in Full Frame, STAT: Code Blue, Open Wide and Raising Ebola Presented by Brookline Interactive Group

Tuesday September 25, 2018 12:00pm - 8:00pm EDT
Yawkey Atrium 1 Guest St, Boston MA 02135

Social/Networking Event

1:30pm EDT

Got Platform? Making Science Content in the Social Era

From short-form video to long-form livestreams, storytellers are producing original science content that is smart, intentional and specific to target niche (yet committed) audiences. Learn how emerging video platforms like Facebook Watch, Snapchat Discover, YouTube and Twitch are rewriting the rules of science content production and expanding the choir of science video presenters and producers.

Speakers

Hema Bajaj

Strategic Programming Manager, YouTube

Hema Bajaj is a Strategic Programming Manager at YouTube. She leads the company's education and learning strategy and helps shape the images seen by billions of people globally. Hema is a firm believer that images on-screen, whether the big screen or the small one in your pocket... Read More →

Zachary Diaz

Partnerships Manager for Content Development and Acquisition, Twitch

Zachary Diaz is a Partnerships Manager for Content Development and Acquisition at Twitch where he oversees the development of non-endemic content types into digital-first and live-first formats, as well as the onboarding of Partner content creators onto the social video service. Prior... Read More →

Brian Pendergast

Senior Producer, Seeker Media

Brian Pendergast is Head of Development at Seeker -- the no. 1 most-engaged science & tech publisher globally cross-platform on social. Brian brings with him over 10 years of experience writing, producing and developing non-fiction content for a range of audiences and distribution... Read More →

Tory Starr

Director of Social Media, WGBH

Tory Starr is the Director of Social Media at WGBH, Boston’s public media station and the source of over one-third of PBS’ prime time programming. In her role, Starr leads social media strategy, best practices, platform partnerships, and project development for the station’s... Read More →

Session Producers

Adnaan Wasey

Adnaan Wasey is an executive producer with a history of championing the work of a diverse group of creators for new platforms. He's created media for some of the most admired film, news and information organizations, including PBS, The New York Times, Snapchat and WNYC, and his work has been honored... Read More →

Devin Karambelas

Devin Karambelas is the Editorial and Executive Assistant to WGBH’s Vice President of National Programming. Devin has previously worked in event and programming production roles for SFFILM, the parent organization of the San Francisco International Film Festival, Glasgow Film in... Read More →

Tuesday September 25, 2018 1:30pm - 2:30pm EDT
Yawkey Theater 1 Guest St, Boston MA 02135

Session

moderator Adnaan Wasey

3:00pm EDT

EUREKA: Science Saves the Planet (And At Least Some of Us Living on It)

Sponsored by The Nature Conservancy
From climate change to food shortages, pandemics to mass extinction and evil robot overlords, our news feeds are often flooded with headlines of doomsday scenarios racing to deliver a real-life "Thanos snap." So we've assembled a panel of lab coat-clad heros of science, technology, and innovation who are working on disruptive breakthroughs to cancel the Apocalypse. Join the conversation and weigh in - will lab-grown food deal climate change and hunger a 1-2 punch? Can robots and tricorders clean our oceans and help nab the kingpins profiting from extinction? Avengers of science, assemble.

Speakers

Alex Dehgan

CEO & Co-Founder, Conservation X Labs

Alex Dehgan is the CEO & co-founder of Conservation X Labs (CXL), a tech startup focused on harnessing exponential technologies, open innovation, and entrepreneurship for creating a pipeline of innovations that address the underlying drivers of extinction. CXL’s work includes launching the first Grand Challenges for Conservation, cr... Read More →

Elizabeth Nyeko

Elizabeth Nyeko, a MIT TR35 innovator, is the Founder & CEO of Modularity Grid, a cleantech startup that provides software to help companies that operate mini-grids, deliver electricity that is affordable and reliable low income communities. Elizabeth is also a co-Founder of Mandulis... Read More →

Lauri Reuter

Senior Specialist of Disruptive Technologies, VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland

Lauri Reuter works as the senior specialist of disruptive technologies at the VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland. He started his career at VTT in 2012 as a researcher in the biotechnology team, but has since consistently focused more and more on larger, world-changing visions... Read More →

Brooke Runnette

Brooke Runnette designs impact strategies that inspire, illuminate, and ignite brains with infectious images and storytelling.Runnette most recently served as Chief Program Officer for Emerson Elemental, the environmental and energy practice of the Emerson Collective, and is currently... Read More →

Session Producers

Emre Izat

Emre has developed and produced award-winning documentary series, one-off specials, digital interactive media, and feature docs for multiple global networks including Netflix, National Geographic, Discovery, History, ZDF, France Televisions, ID, MSNBC, TLC, and PBS. Although Emre’s... Read More →

Tuesday September 25, 2018 3:00pm - 4:00pm EDT
Yawkey Theater 1 Guest St, Boston MA 02135

Session

moderator Brooke Runette

4:30pm EDT

Reality Check, Please

Supported by Avid Technology
How is immersive media becoming an essential tool for science storytelling? Leading lights from NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, The New York Times, New Reality Company and France’s National Centre of Scientific Research weigh in on the incredible versatility of the VR medium as their projects convey human and environmental life in exquisite detail.

Speakers

Winslow Porter

Director, Creative Technologist Co-Founder, New Reality Co (Tree VR)

Winslow Porter is a Brooklyn based director, producer and creative technologist specializing in virtual reality and large-scale immersive installations. Winslow has always been fascinated with the possibilities of how the intersection of art and technology can elevate storytelling... Read More →

Graham Roberts

Director of Immersive Platforms Storytelling, The New York Times

Graham Roberts is an award winning journalist at The New York Times, focusing on innovation in visual journalism. As Director of Immersive Platforms Storytelling, he leads a team that explores new approaches in video, motion graphics, and virtual/augmented reality. This also inc... Read More →

Sasha Samochina

Immersive Visualization Producer, NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory

Sasha Samochina is an Immersive Visualization Producer at NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, CA. She joined the team at JPL after working in New York in the fields of video and web development and in Chicago where she was a Media Producer at The Field Museum of Natural... Read More →

Momoko Seto

Experimental Film Director

Momoko Seto was born in Tokyo in 1980. After studying at the Tokyo French Lycée, she traveled to France to study Art at the École Supérieure des Beaux-Arts in Marseille, then at the Le Fresnoy National Studio of Contempoary Art. At the same time as working as a film director at... Read More →

Session Producers

Alexis Gambis

Founder and Executive Director, Imagine Science Films

Alexis Gambis is a filmmaker and a biologist whose interdisciplinary work aims at transforming the way science is communicated to the public through film and visual arts. He received his PhD in Molecular Biology at The Rockefeller University and a Masters in Fine Arts from NYU Tisch... Read More →

Tuesday September 25, 2018 4:30pm - 5:30pm EDT
Yawkey Theater 1 Guest St, Boston MA 02135

Session

moderator Alexis Gambis

5:30pm EDT

Evening of Exploration: VR & Space & Magical Mystery Tours

Supported by Terra Mater Factual Studios
Terra Mater Factual Studios is going to the moon. In 2019! Well, their cameras are. Executive Producer Walter Koehler and CEO of PartTime Scientists, Robert Boehme, demonstrate why the moon is still so very relevant. Sharing the stage with this dynamic duo is a prototype of the Audi Quattro Rover that Robert will land on the moon. We kick off this cosmic evening with a vision of making lunar exploration affordable, accessible and using it as a trial run for deep space exploration & even habitation.
Have you ever dreamed of being handed a celestial cocktail by an astronaut? Now is your chance! After the presentation, join us in the atrium for live music, dancing and out-of-this-world food. We've got DJs, smoking-hot appetizers (literally!), and even VR stations that will immerse you in a whole other world.

Speakers

Robert Boehme

CEO & Founder, PTScientists

Robert Boehme is founder and CEO of PTScientists – the Berlin-based space company aiming to land the first private mission on the Moon. His vision for the future involves developing reusable infrastructures on the Moon that could be used as a blueprint for enabling deeper exploration... Read More →

Cady Coleman

Astronaut, NASA

Cady Coleman is a scientist, wife, mother, pilot, musician and recently retired NASA astronaut. After flying in space twice on the Space Shuttle and spending 6 months on the International Space Station, Cady finished her NASA career leading innovation at the Office of the Chief Technologist... Read More →

Tuesday September 25, 2018 5:30pm - 8:00pm EDT
Yawkey Atrium 1 Guest St, Boston MA 02135

Social/Networking Event

8:30am EDT

Speed Pitching with the Commissioners

Click here to sign up for a speed pitching slot!
This is a chance for seasoned pros to reconnect with their favorite commissioners or meet new ones. It's also a rare occasion when production companies can discover new science storytellers, pre-published research, and new filmmakers in search of production partnerships. Spend 8 minutes with the world's most important science media producers and distributors & you may end up with a production deal!
Click here to read more about what types of projects the commissioners are looking for.

Commissioners

Cooper Brooks, National Geographic Channel

Cooper Brooks is a Senior Associate Producer of Development with Nation Geographic Partners. He as been with the network for 5 years, developing both talent and programming for the non-scripted/ factual division. Prior to National Geographic, Brooks worked as a journalist for television... Read More →

Steve Burns, CuriosityStream

Steve Burns is Chief Programming Officer for CuriosityStream, the award-winning streaming and on-demand destination for world-class documentary features and series exploring science, space, technology, history, nature, health and more.CuriosityStream, founded by John Hendricks, founder... Read More →

Jorge Franzini, CuriosityStream

Executive Producer, CuriosityStreamJorge Franzini has produced and written a wide range of highly acclaimed documentaries for CuriosityStream, including its first original series Destination: Pluto, its first 4K series Underwater Wonders of the National Parks, and the award-nominated... Read More →

Jean-Jacques Peretti, Sunny Side of the Doc

For the past five years Peretti has been an international consultant working in different audiovisual areas.Until May 2018, he was working with Paul Saadoun, producer, to develop 2nd Vague Productions documentary projects, to find international co-productions and presales. He was... Read More →

Nikolas Huelbusch, ZDF Enterprises

Nikolas Hülbusch, Director ZDFE.unscriptedBorn in Mainz in 1968, Nikolas Hülbusch studied Theatre, Film and Television, as well as Slavic studies, at Bochum (Germany) and Katowice (Poland) Universities from 1989 to 1995. He published several articles and two books on documentary... Read More →

Greg Boustead, Simons Foundation

With a background in neuroscience, film, and journalism, Greg Boustead brings sophisticated science content to general audiences, across many platforms. In 2015, he helped launch Science Sandbox, a Simons Foundation initiative dedicated to inspiring a deeper interest in science, especially among those who don't think of themselves as science enthusiasts. As program director, Boustead oversees the initiative's strategy and funding decisions. He also leads the group's documentary film work. Before joi... Read More →

Gianna Savoie, Ocean Media Institute

Gianna Savoie, Ph.D. Filmmaker and Executive Director, Ocean Media InstituteDr. Gianna Savoie is an award-winning Natural History filmmaker and writer whose penchant for powerful storytelling has led her to sink her teeth into some of the most critical conservation issues on the... Read More →

Tracy Beckett, PBS International

Tracy Beckett is the Director of Program and Media Acquisitions for PBS International . She is responsible for acquiring documentaries to bring into the PBS International catalogue for the sales team to sell to other broadcasters around the world. Further, she is responsible for... Read More →

Xavier Aaronson, Vice Media

Xavier Aaronson is an award-winning filmmaker best known for his Vice documentaries that explore the culmination of all things strange and influential in the world of modern science and technology. He’s traveled from the northernmost city in the Arctic to the deepest gold mines... Read More →

Carlyn Staudt, Blue Ant Media

Carlyn Staudt, EVP, Love Nature Programming & Development leads the global programming strategy of Love Nature’s linear platform internationally and commissions original content to grow the brand’s extensive library of 4K natural history programming. Prior to this, Staudt held... Read More →

Janet Hess, Nature/WNET

Janet Hess is the Series Editor of NATURE, the premier American natural history series from THIRTEEN/WNET for PBS. She develops new projects, shapes stories, and works with writers, producers, and editors to make strong narratives a part of the NATURE brand. Janet has written... Read More →

Sara Edelson, Netflix

Sara Edelson is a manager of Original Documentary Programming at Netflix and creative executive for feature documentaries and series. Prior to Netflix, she was Head of Development for Paul G Allen’s Vulcan Productions, where she oversaw all original content development and co-productions... Read More →

Tria Thalman, Smithsonian Networks

As Executive Producer for Natural History at Smithsonian Channel, Tria helps develop and oversees production of more than 50 documentaries each year, which air on the network’s cable and digital platforms. She’s looking for blue-chip wildlife with strong narratives, and upbeat... Read More →

Melanie Wallace, NOVA

Melanie Wallace is the Senior Series Producer for NOVA, the highly regarded PBS science series now in its 45 season. She has worked in many capacities over the last 30 years including producer/director, and writer, on a wide variety of NOVA programs which span topics as diverse as... Read More →

Rocky Collins, Vulcan Productions

Director of Production & Executive Producer, Vulcan ProductionsSince joining Vulcan Productions, Rocky Collins has worked on a range of projects that use storytelling to create change. He helped create and guide the 20-part We the Voters digital series; the 6-part documentary series... Read More →

Graham Townsley, Shining Red Productions

Genevieve Sponsler, PRX

Genevieve Sponsler is the Content Manager & Remix Producer at PRX, a leading media company shaping the future of audio by connecting talented producers with engaged audiences.Genevieve programs PRX's 24/7 XM channel and broadcast service, PRX Remix, curating unique podcasts, documentaries... Read More →

Brian Pendergast, Seeker

Brian Pendergast is Head of Development at Seeker, the number one most-engaged science and tech publisher globally cross-platform on social. Brian brings with him over 10 years of experience writing, producing and developing non-fiction content for a range of audiences and distribution... Read More →

Dustin Renwick, National Geographic Society

Dustin Renwick is the program officer for storytelling grants at the National Geographic Society. He advises potential applicants on project ideas, and he provides initial reviews for all storytelling grant submissions. Renwick previously served as the communication lead for the innovation... Read More →

Ellen Windemuth

CEO, Off the Fence

Ellen Windemuth is the owner and CEO of Off the Fence, having founded the company in 1994. Under her leadership Off the Fence has acquired, produced and co-produced over 6,000 hours of content. Ellen is a seasoned Executive Producer and Distributor and has produced over 400 hours... Read More →

Wednesday September 26, 2018 8:30am - 9:30am EDT
Calderwood Studio 1 Guest St, Boston, MA 02135

Market

9:30am EDT

Podcasts: Science Media’s Gateway Drug

On-demand, habit-forming and possibly your favorite commuting companion. Why are science podcasts so addictive? The 48 million Americans who listen regularly are onto something! This dialogue divulges tips, tricks and takeaways that science media creators from all backgrounds won’t want to miss. Prepare to binge listen!

Speakers

Carolyn Beeler

Producer and Reporter, PRI's The World

Carolyn Beeler is the environment reporter at “The World,” a nationally syndicated public radio program. She covers international climate policy and tells stories about how climate change impacts people all over the globe. Previously she covered health and science for WHYY in... Read More →

Tara Boyle

Supervising Producer, Hidden Brain

Tara Boyle is the Supervising Producer of Hidden Brain. In this role, Boyle oversees the production of both theHidden Brain radio show and podcast, providing editorial guidance and support to host Shankar Vedantam and the shows’ producers. Boyle also coordinates Shankar’s Hidden... Read More →

Taunya English

Editorial Director, The Pulse

Taunya English (@taunyaenglish) is editorial director of “The Pulse,” WHYY’s health + science show in Philadelphia. She commissions storytellers and audio producers from around the country, shaping content and bringing new voices and perspectives to air. Previously, during a... Read More →

Sanden Totten

Co-creator and Science Writer, Brains On and Smash Boom Best

Sanden Totten is a science writer and co-creator of the kids podcasts Brains On and Smash Boom Best. Both shows delve deep into topics kids are curious about and are chock full of science, history and attitude. Also sometimes fart jokes. Previously, he was a public radio science reporter... Read More →

Session Producers

Carolyn Beeler

Producer and Reporter, PRI's The World

Nina Porzucki

Nina Porzucki directs podcasting at WGBH in Boston. She previously worked as a producer on the radio program, PRI’s The World where she also co-hosted and produced The World in Words podcast. Early in her career, Nina had a penchant for joining corps; first the Peace Corps in Romania... Read More →

Wednesday September 26, 2018 9:30am - 10:30am EDT
Yawkey Theater 1 Guest St, Boston MA 02135

Session

moderator Carolyn Beeler

11:00am EDT

Under Which Rock: Where's the Money?

Seismic shifts in production funding and distribution have occurred in a geologic instant. Fissures in old models are rocking science media as much as any genre. Where do you find solid ground? Four successful innovators share the secrets of pivoting, with scalable ideas for projects of any scope. Kickstarter, Transactional VOD, Brand and Foundation/NGO partnerships may significantly shake up your rollout plans.

Speakers

David Alvarado

Founder, Structure Films

David Alvarado is an award-winning documentary filmmaker with a passion for science, philosophy, and human rights. After earning his B.A. in film production from the University of North Texas, he worked at Dallas PBS affiliate KERA Ch 13, then later earned his M.F.A. from Stanford... Read More →

Sonya Pemberton

Creative Director, Genepool Productions

Emmy award winner and record-breaking five-time winner of the prestigious Eureka Award for Science Journalism, Sonya Pemberton is one of Australia’s leading documentary producers and she specialises in science. She has written and directed over sixty hours of broadcast documentary... Read More →

Vincent Stehle

Executive Director, Media Impact Funders

Vincent Stehle is Executive Director of Media Impact Funders, a membership organization of foundation officials and philanthropists who support media and technology in the public interest. Previously, Stehle was Program Director for Nonprofit Sector Support at the Surdna Foundation... Read More →

Ellen Windemuth

CEO, Off the Fence

Session Producers

Sonya Pemberton

Creative Director, Genepool Productions

Wednesday September 26, 2018 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT
Yawkey Theater 1 Guest St, Boston MA 02135

Session

moderator Sonya Pemberton

12:00pm EDT

Networking Lunch

Sponsored by PBS and PBS Distribution

Wednesday September 26, 2018 12:00pm - 1:30pm EDT
Yawkey Atrium 1 Guest St, Boston MA 02135

Social/Networking Event

1:30pm EDT

Let's Get Engaged! Landmark Research Revealed at SMASH

Two landmark science media studies release their results at SMASH: one about capturing that Holy Grail of audiences: millennials; the other on the most effective science stories. Then several science foundations disclose how they measure impact & engagement. How do institutions calculate Return on Investment when funding a project?

Speakers

Greg Boustead

Program Director, Science Sandbox, Simons Foundation

Valentine Kass

Program Director, National Science Foundation

Valentine Kass has had an eclectic career in film and television, including being one of the first women Producer/Directors at KQED in San Francisco, the first Director of the Navy Pier IMAX Theater, and the Founding Director of the American Children’s Television Festival. During... Read More →

Ru Mahoney

Science and Impact Producer

Ru Mahoney is a Science and Impact Producer. She advocates evidence-based strategies for filmmakers tackling the world’s most important science, conservation, and social issues. Her work developing interdisciplinary collaborations has been supported by numerous non-traditional media... Read More →

Sue Ellen McCann

Executive in Charge of Science, KQED

Sue Ellen McCann is the Executive in Charge of Science at KQED, the public broadcasting station in San Francisco. The KQED team is the largest science journalism unit in California producing science news and features for TV, radio, web and social media as well as professional development... Read More →

Louis S. Nadelson

Department Chair for Leadership Studies, College of Education at University of Central Arkansas

Louis S. Nadelson, PhD is the department chair for Leadership Studies in the College of Education at University of Central Arkansas. Dr. Nadelson holds a B.S in biological and physical sciences from Colorado State University, a B.A. with a concentration in mathematics and computer... Read More →

Dustin Renwick

Program Officer, Storytelling Grants, National Geographic Society

Session Producers

Ru Mahoney

Science and Impact Producer

Wednesday September 26, 2018 1:30pm - 2:30pm EDT
Yawkey Theater 1 Guest St, Boston MA 02135

Session

moderator Ru Mahoney

3:00pm EDT

EUREKA: Imaging Gizmos That Will Reveal (and Rock) Your World!

SMASH18's resident tech expert David Pogue—Yahoo Tech critic and CBS correspondent—introduces some of the most amazing imaging tools poised to transform science media-making.

Speakers

Eric Fossum

Professor of Engineering, Dartmouth College

Dr. Eric R. Fossum is best known for the invention of the CMOS image sensor “camera-on-a-chip” used in billions of cameras, from smart phones to web cameras to pill cameras and many other applications. He worked at the NASA Jet Propulsion Lab and led several startups, including... Read More →

Vijay Kumar

Nemirovsky Family Dean, Penn Engineering

Vijay Kumar is the Nemirovsky Family Dean of Penn Engineering with appointments in the Departments of Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics, Computer and Information Science, and Electrical and Systems Engineering at the University of Pennsylvania.Dr. Kumar has been on the... Read More →

David Pogue

Tech Critic, Yahoo Finance

David Pogue is the tech critic for Yahoo Finance, having been groomed for the position by 13 years as the personal-technology columnist for the New York Times. He’s also a monthly columnist for Scientific American and host of science shows on PBS’s “NOVA.” He’s been a correspondent... Read More →

Ramesh Raskar

Associate Professor, MIT Media Lab

Ramesh Raskar is an Associate Professor at MIT Media Lab and directs the Camera Culture research group. His focus is on building interfaces between social systems and cyber-physical systems. These interfaces span research in physical (e.g., sensors, health-tech), digital (e.g., automating... Read More →

Session Producers

Chris Schmidt

Session Producer, NOVA

Chris Schmidt is an award-winning show runner, executive producer, writer, director and filmmaker with a focus on documentary and non-fiction television programming. He has traveled the world to produce and direct films and television programs for PBS, Dreamworks Animation, The Discovery... Read More →

Wednesday September 26, 2018 3:00pm - 4:00pm EDT
Yawkey Theater 1 Guest St, Boston MA 02135

Session

moderator David Pogue

4:30pm EDT

Scents and Sensibility

Meet two of the world’s most creative inventors who are using technology to harness our own human senses and emotions to help us cope with challenging disorders. Imagine a wearable that an autistic child can use to gauge the emotions of others. Imagine that child’s parents being able to read their kid’s feelings for perhaps the first time. And a flavor creator that can treat both addiction and depression. PLUS a new sensory invention will be revealed at the end of this session!

Speakers

David Edwards

Founder, oNotes & Sensory Cloud

David Edwards is an inventor, writer, and founder of the olfactory technology companies oNotes & Sensory Cloud. Edwards teaches at Harvard University, and has founded many companies and nonprofits, from his early work related to inhaled insulin (AIR, sold to Alkermes) to his more... Read More →

Rosalind Picard

Founder and Director, Affective Computing Research Group at the MIT Media Lab

Rosalind Picard is founder and director of the Affective Computing Research Group at the MIT Media Laboratory, faculty chair of MIT’s MindHandHeart, cofounder and chief scientist of Empatica, and cofounder of Affectiva. The author of over 300 peer-reviewed scientific articles, Picard... Read More →

Session Producers

Maggie Penman

Maggie Penman is a reporter for WGBH News who is interested in science, health, and what makes humans tick. She was a founding producer of NPR’s hit podcast about human behavior, Hidden Brain. Maggie also previously reported and produced for NPR’s flagship news program Morning... Read More →

Wednesday September 26, 2018 4:30pm - 5:30pm EDT
Yawkey Theater 1 Guest St, Boston MA 02135

Session

moderator Maggie Penman

5:30pm EDT

Science-Based Cocktail Reception

We kick the evening off with a sampling of remarkable, scientifically-based cocktails from mixologist Tenzin Samdo (recently named Boston’s Best Bartender!) of the inimitable Cambridge-based Café ArtScience.

Speakers

Tenzin Samdo

Bar Director, ArtScience Culture Lab & Café

At the futuristic, science-driven restaurant, ArtScience Culture Lab & Café, Bar Director Tenzin Samdo develops cocktails to blow the minds of his guests, from a piña colada cloud to a Tiki drink you can chew. With a lab’s worth of equipment at his disposal, Samdo oversees a compact... Read More →

Wednesday September 26, 2018 5:30pm - 7:00pm EDT
Yawkey Atrium 1 Guest St, Boston MA 02135

Social/Networking Event

7:00pm EDT

Stories from the Stage

SMASH joins forces with WORLD Channel’s celebrated television series STORIES FROM THE STAGE for a night of science as you’ve never heard it before. This special episode explores the art of storytelling on the subject of science. Click here to reserve your ticket for Stories from the Stage

Wednesday September 26, 2018 7:00pm - 9:00pm EDT
Calderwood Studio 1 Guest St, Boston, MA 02135

Social/Networking Event

8:30am EDT

Speed Pitching with the Commissioners

Commissioners

Cooper Brooks, National Geographic Channel

Steve Burns, CuriosityStream

Jorge Franzini, CuriosityStream

Nikolas Huelbusch, ZDF Enterprises

Gianna Savoie, Ocean Media Institute

Tracy Beckett, PBS International

Janet Hess, Nature/WNET

Tria Thalman, Smithsonian Networks

Chris Schmidt, NOVA

Senior Producer, NOVAChris Schmidt is an award-winning show runner, executive producer, writer, director and filmmaker with a focus on documentary and non-fiction television programming. He has traveled the world to produce and direct films and television programs for PBS, Dreamworks... Read More →

Graham Townsley, Shining Red Productions

John Barth, PRX

John Barth is the Chief Content Officer of PRX, named by Fast Company magazine as one of the Top 10 Most Innovative media companies.John is responsible for almost all the content that PRX distributes, markets and produces. He lead the development and launch of the investigative reporting... Read More →

Matthew Morales, Seeker

Matt Morales is a development producer at Seeker -- the no. 1 most-engaged science publisher on social in the world. In his current role, Matt leads the team in visual ideation, scripting, animating and editing for all new programming on both digital and linear platforms. While at... Read More →

Dustin Renwick, National Geographic Society

Tory Starr, WGBH

Thursday September 27, 2018 8:30am - 9:30am EDT
Fraser

Market

9:30am EDT

Artificial Intelligence: Savior or Enslaver?

Today's AI has limitless promise and peril. Will it save us or enslave us? Self-driving vehicles can save millions of lives while putting millions out of work. Facebook has the potential to unite the world or fracture it by undermining democracy. Big Data and algorithms can help cure diseases but also make privacy an idea of the past. Can we control what might be our most powerful invention (and greatest threat) yet?

Speakers

James Barrat

Filmmaker & Author

Time Magazine named author, speaker, and filmmaker James Barrat one of 5 Very Smart People Who Think Artificial Intelligence Could Bring the Apocalypse due to his groundbreaking nonfiction book, Our Final Invention: Artificial Intelligence and the End of the Human Era. Intelligence... Read More →

David Cox

IBM Director, MIT-IBM Watson AI Lab

David Cox is the IBM Director of the MIT-IBM Watson AI Lab, a first of its kind industry-academic collaboration between IBM and MIT, focused on fundamental research in artificial intelligence. Prior to joining IBM, David was the John L. Loeb Associate Professor of the Natural Sciences... Read More →

Rana el Kaliouby

Co-founder and CEO, Affectiva

Rana el Kaliouby, PhD is humanizing technology with AI. Co-founder and CEO of MIT startup Affectiva, Rana invented artificial emotional intelligence, or Emotion AI, cutting-edge software that analyzes complex and nuanced emotion and cognitive states from the human face and voice... Read More →

Anna Lee Strachan

Series Producer, NOVA

Anna Lee Strachan is a filmmaker who specializes in bringing complex scientific topics to life. She was most recently a Series Producer for PBS’s NOVA Wonders, a new 6-part series exploring the biggest questions on the frontiers of science, of which she directed and produced Can... Read More →

Session Producers

Anna Lee Strachan

Series Producer, NOVA

Michael Bicks

Michael Bicks is the founder of Little Bay Pictures in Durham, New Hampshire. A director with over thirty years of experience, he has earned the reputation as both a serious journalist and an innovative visual storyteller. Most recently he has been working for PBS’s NOVA where partnering... Read More →

Thursday September 27, 2018 9:30am - 10:30am EDT
Yawkey Theater 1 Guest St, Boston MA 02135

Session

moderator Anna Lee Strachan

11:00am EDT

Really Popular Science

Are big budget, big vision prestige projects still viable in today’s fragmented digital landscape? Does blockbuster science cut through the noise and make an impact? Meet the brains behind a few epic projects selected from around the globe and hear about the release strategies, metrics and insights gained along the way. There are also scalable takeaways for small and medium science media projects with outsized ambitions.

Speakers

Beth Hoppe

Senior Vice President for Long Form, ABC News

Beth Hoppe is the Senior Vice President for Long Form at ABC News, overseeing long form programming including 20/20, Nightline, and all the output of Lincoln Square Productions, while working closely with the broadcast and digital teams on release strategy.Prior to joining ABC News... Read More →

Jared Lipworth

Director of Impact and Outreach, HHMI Tangled Bank Studios

Jared Lipworth develops and executes high-profile impact initiatives for HHMI Tangled Bank Studios, builds strategic outreach collaborations with mission-driven impact partners, and supervises editorial on select film projects. Lipworth is a multiple Emmy award-winning executive producer... Read More →

Derek Mead

Executive Editor, Vice Media

Derek Mead is the executive editor for VICE Media, and helps oversee the company's editorial teams in 36 countries around the globe. Previously the editor-in-chief of Motherboard, Derek is most passionate about multimedia reporting, connecting storylines across time and space, and... Read More →

Jane Root

Founder & CEO, Nutopia

Jane Root is a leading creative executive who has transformed major networks on both sides of the Atlantic. She has built a reputation for innovation, determination and delivery in both television and digital.In 2008, Root set up her own TV production company Nutopia. With offices... Read More →

Thursday September 27, 2018 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT
Yawkey Theater 1 Guest St, Boston MA 02135

Session

moderator Beth Hoppe

11:30am EDT

Networking Lunch

Thursday September 27, 2018 11:30am - 1:00pm EDT
Yawkey Atrium 1 Guest St, Boston MA 02135

Social/Networking Event

1:30pm EDT

Keynote: Deb Roy

How does the marriage of Social Media and Artificial Intelligence influence how we think and what we believe? Why do false stories spread farther and faster than true? Join Dr. Deb Roy, former Chief Media Scientist for Twitter who now directs the Lab for Social Machines at the MIT Media Lab, for a fascinating and provocative look at how we live in reinforced “bubbles” and whether science and design can help us. In conversation with Kara Miller, Host and Executive Editor of PRI and WGBH’s Innovation Hub.

Speakers

Kara Miller

Host and Executive Editor, Innovation Hub

Kara Miller is the host and executive editor of Innovation Hub, which she launched in 2011. Public Radio International (PRI) took the program national in May 2014, and it now airs on more than 100 stations, including New York, Chicago, Boston, and Houston.As a host, Kara has interviewed... Read More →

Deb Roy

Laboratory for Social Machines, MIT Media Lab

Deb Roy is an Associate Professor at MIT where he directs the Laboratory for Social Machines (LSM) based at the Media Lab. His lab researches media analytics and design with applications in children’s learning and social listening. Roy is also co-founder and chairman of Corti... Read More →

Session Producers

Kara Miller

Host and Executive Editor, Innovation Hub

Thursday September 27, 2018 1:30pm - 2:30pm EDT
Yawkey Theater 1 Guest St, Boston MA 02135

Session

5:30pm EDT

Jackson Hole Science Media Awards Gala

Reception co-presented by Jackson Hole WILD and HHMI Tangled Bank Studios
Co-hosted by David Pogue and Sasha Samochina, this year’s Gala Awards Ceremony will be held at the cutting-edge MIT Media Lab. Take in the beautiful panoramic views of the Charles River from the Silverman Skyline Room and party on in this famously “antidisciplinary” bastion of cool creativity as we celebrate the finest in science media. Over 500 entries will compete for 20 awards!

Speakers

David Pogue

Tech Critic, Yahoo Finance

Sasha Samochina

Immersive Visualization Producer, NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory

Thursday September 27, 2018 5:30pm - 9:00pm EDT
MIT Media Lab 75 Amherst St, Cambridge, MA 02139

Social/Networking Event