Welcome to IDEA
2025 IDEA Conference & Grainger Dean's Distinguished Lecture
Wednesday, April 30th, 2025 . Illini Union Ballroom11:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. |
Join the inaugural joint IDEA Institute Conference and Dean's Distinguished Diversity Lecture. This event highlights accomplishments of the IDEA Institute and showcases research of the Grassroots Initiatives to Address Needs Together (GIANT) project teams, and will feature a keynote seminar from Dr. Keivan G. Stassun, Stevenson Professor of Astrophysics and Director, Frist Center for Autism & Innovation of Vanderbilt University School of Engineering. Lunch will be provided to registered attendees. Please complete the registration and confirm your attendance by Tuesday, April 22, 2025.
Keynote Speaker: Dr. Keivan G. Stassun
Stevenson Professor of Astrophysics and Director, Frist Center for Autism & Innovation
Vanderbilt University School of Engineering
The Neurodiversity Revolution in Science and Engineering: Tapping the Human Diversity of Mind to Accelerate Discovery and Innovation
There is a growing understanding of the power of heterogeneous teams to drive innovation, including discovery in science and engineering. Neurodiversity is an emerging paradigm in which neurological differences such as autism, and the associated heterogeneity in ways of thinking, can bring unique strengths to organizations and teams, including in basic research. This presentation gives real-world examples from astrophysics, computer science, and engineering research of ways in which teams comprising diverse types and modes of thinking are driving groundbreaking discoveries from artificial intelligence and assistive technologies to the search for habitable worlds and life in the universe.
Schedule of Events
11:30 AM Lunch Service
12:10 PM Program Begins
12:30 PM - 1:30 PM Keynote Address
1:30 PM - 1:35 PM Closing Remarks
1:35 PM - 1:45 PM Networking
1:45 PM - 2:45 PM Poster Session
2:45 PM - 3:00 PM Networking/Conclusion
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