Principles of Convergence in Nature and Society
Wed, 18 January, 2023
1:00pm - 2:00pm
Wednesday, January 18, 2023; 1:00 p.m.
Science & Engineering Hall, Lehman Auditorium (B1220)
https://calendar.gwu.edu/
Knowledge, technology, and society evolve increasingly turbulent, coherent, and emergent. Convergence is a problem-solving strategy for holistically understanding and transforming a system for reaching a common goal or satisfying a guiding law. Basic principles and methods underlying the convergence science will be presented. Their application will be illustrated for understanding nature, transforming emerging technologies, and formulating a national research initiative. Confluence of foundational science and technology fields from their basic elements (atoms, bits, genes, neurons, and logic steps) is a particular trend. Convergence approach creates a framework for decision-making and problem-solving not only for science and technology, but also for business, education, and humanities.
About the Speaker
Mihail C. Roco
National Science Foundation and National Nanotechnology Initiative
Mihail “Mike” Roco is the Senior Advisor for Science and Engineering at the National Science Foundation and founding chair of the U.S. National Science and Technology Council's subcommittee on Nanoscale Science, Engineering and Technology (NSET). He proposed the U.S. National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI) in 1999 at the White House and is a key architect of the initiative. He pioneered convergence science and its application to emerging technologies. Dr. Roco received the IUMRS “Global Leadership and Service Award” at the EU Parliament in 2015 for "vision and dedicated leadership ... that has made major impact to all citizens around the world."