SUBHASH MISHRA
Dhanbad, Feb 9: IIT Indian School of Mines (ISM) Dhanbad today organised its second international lecture on Global Scientific Challenges and the responsibility of scientists. Giving this information Prof Rajni Singh, the dean of media and branding at IIT ISM said that it was the second lecture of the lecture series organised by the department of physics of IIT ISM on National Science Day.
Prof Nigel Manson at the OBE department of Molecular Physics, University of Kent ( UK) delivered an online lecture and discussed crucial issues like global warming, the risk of a new pandemic and the exploitation of resources.
In his 45 minutes address, Prof Manson said that many of the major social and political challenges facing the world today can only be addressed by a global community of scientists. He pointed out that no nation or government can make decisions without consulting and collaborating on challenges of global warming, energy supply, risk of a new pandemic and exploitation of natural resources.
“Such decisions should be made with consultation and engagement of scientists”, he said.
Prof Manson during the lecture also discussed how do scientists inform policymakers? What is the personal responsibility of scientists and the scientific community as a whole to ensure such advice is reported accurately? How does the scientific community address fraud and misrepresentation of science?
Prof Manson is an outstanding scientist working in the field of molecular physics, the physics of electrons and ionized gases including plasma. His activities in the field of radiation physics and astrochemistry are significant and focused on the study of electron and ion processes taking place in the atmospheres of planets, Asteroids and comets.
He is also a member of the European Astrobiology Institute steering committee, European Astrochemistry Radiation Chemistry and nanolithography networks and programmes.
Prof Rajni Singh said the department of physics of IIT ISM is organising various scientific events spanning over two months based on the theme of ‘ Global Science for global well-being to create awareness among students and others. The inaugural ceremony of NSF 23 was held on January 24 in which Prof Dhiraj Kumar was the chief guest.