Panel Huddles

6 JANUARY 2026

Breaking Barriers, Leading Change: Challenges in STEM

Panellists: Prof Donna Strickland, Prof Joan Rose, Prof Kae Nemoto, Prof Maiken Nedergaard, Dr Patricia Lee

How can we make STEM more inclusive and provide equitable opportunities across the various fields of study? In this thought-provoking panel, five distinguished leaders from diverse scientific and engineering disciplines will share their unique experiences and challenges they have faced in their careers, while delving into strategies that will even the playing field for future generations of scientists.

7 JANUARY 2026

Geopolitics to Genomics: Concurring Minds in A Multipolar World

Panellists: Prof Aaron Ciechanover, Prof Brian Schmidt, Prof Kae Nemoto, Prof Randy Schekman

In a world where scientific influence becomes increasingly distributed, the call for collaborative science and shared innovation is louder than ever. This discourse will examine the convergence of science, genomics, and geopolitics amid rising complexity and competition, asking the question: where trade diplomacy fails, will science diplomacy thrive?

8 JANUARY 2026

Supercomputing Classical vs Quantum: Redefining the Future

Panellists: Prof Adi Shamir, Prof Jack Dongarra, Prof Kae Nemoto, Dr Patricia Lee, Prof Torsten Hoefler

In this lively discussion, our panellists will debate the strengths, limitations, and potential convergence of mainstream supercomputing and quantum technology into what is known as hybrid computing. With quantum technology still in its infancy stage, how would the future of computing be defined, and what impact will it have across industries—from materials science to medicine?

9 JANUARY 2026

Brains & Bytes: Levelling Up Research in the Age of GenAI

Panellists: Sir David Klenerman, Sir Konstantin Novoselov, Dr Patricia Lee, Sir Tim Hunt

Opinions on Generative AI (GenAI) are divisive, but the impact it has had on how we think, create, and collaborate is undeniable. This panel will explore how researchers can leverage AI to amplify discovery and productivity, while upholding scientific integrity, originality, and ethical responsibility. In an era fast becoming defined by algorithms, balancing human intellect ("brains") with machine intelligence ("bytes") is necessary to ensure responsible AI use.