News & Recent Releases

The Open Research Community Accelerator (ORCA), in partnership with the Aspen Institute Science & Society Program and the American Academy of Arts & Sciences, announced today that six universities have been awarded $250,000 as part of the inaugural Modernizing Academic Appointment & Advancement (MA3) Challenge.

A new report released by the Aspen Health Strategy Group identifies opportunities for health sector leaders to narrow the health gap between the 50 million Americans who live in rural areas and those who do not. The report is unsparing in its depiction of health disparities in rural areas, which include higher mortality rates, a greater prevalence of chronic conditions and disability, and more infectious diseases. Rural residents are also significantly more likely to report problems affording their medical bills and more likely to carry medical debt when compared to urban residents.

Johns Hopkins’ International Arts + Mind Lab Releases the Intentional Spaces Roadmap, an Evidence-Based Strategy for Designing Environments that Support Health and Wellbeing

This report, developed as part of the Aspen Institute Science & Society Program’s 2025 roundtable series, synthesizes insights from practitioners in K–12 education, higher education, science research, professional associations, science communication, and civic science. The project builds on Science & Society’s long-standing informal science education work, including the award-winning Our Future Is Science (OFIS) youth initiative.