Welcome back to Columbia and to Science Fair, Bwog’s weekly roundup of science events happening around campus. I hope you had a lovely Thanksgiving break and that you’re staying warm. As always, email science@bwog.com if you want your event featured.

Time to Rethink Brain Death? A Discussion with Experts

  • Tuesday, December 2, 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm.
  • Online event. RSVP required.
  • Hosted by Columbia’s Center for Clinical Medical Ethics, this webinar brings together national leaders—Drs. Truog, Kaldjian, Dugdale, and Rothschild—to debate one of medicine’s most fundamental questions: how do we define death? With novel medical advances blurring traditional boundaries, this discussion will tackle the metaphysical and moral dimensions of brain death determination. Essential viewing for anyone interested in bioethics, philosophy of medicine, or the ethical challenges posed by life-sustaining technology. More information.

Digital Innovation in Fashion: Waste Reduction and Circularity

  • Tuesday, December 2, 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm.
  • International Affairs Building, Room 410. Registration recommended.
  • Cohosted by Impact Fashion and the Fashion, Energy and Climate Network of Columbia Climate School, this panel explores how digital tech is revolutionizing fashion sustainability. Hear from industry experts including Parsons professor Tatee Sakr, VLGE founder Evelyn Mora, and Alternew CEO Nancy Rhodes about emerging technologies that minimize material waste and extend product lifecycles. Perfect for anyone interested in where fashion meets innovation and environmental justice. Includes interactive Q&A. More information.

AI and Music

  • Wednesday, December 3, 2:00 pm to 3:30 pm.
  • Dodge Hall, Gabe M. Wiener Music & Arts Library. Registration required.
  • Join Ása Ólafsdóttir (MFA Sound Art program) for a deep dive into AI’s role in music creation—the good, the bad, and the legally complicated. This isn’t just a lecture; expect a lively discussion about the ethics and copyright issues surrounding AI-generated music, with plenty of space for you to share your hot takes on whether algorithms can (or should) be artists. Great for musicians, tech enthusiasts, and anyone who’s ever wondered about AI’s creative potential. More information.

Ten Years of Gravitational Waves

  • Thursday, December 4, 9:50 am to 1:30 pm.
  • Italian Academy. Registration required.
  • A decade ago, scientists detected ripples in spacetime from two black holes colliding over a billion light years away—and completely changed how we observe the universe. This symposium celebrates ten years since that historic discovery, bringing together leading researchers to discuss how gravitational waves have transformed our understanding of compact objects, dense matter, cosmology, and fundamental physics. From the birth of multi-messenger astrophysics to what’s next in cosmic observation, this is a can’t-miss event for physics enthusiasts and anyone curious about the universe’s most fundamental forces. More information.

Science Fair via Madeline Douglass