Live Debate – The Hopkins Forum Presents: Is the Scientific Enterprise Too Risk-Averse?

When: Tuesday, May 5, 2026 at 6:00 PM ET (Doors open at 5:30 PM)

Where: Johns Hopkins University Homewood Campus, Shriver Hall Parking: View directions here for South Garage and Shriver Hall

Modern science has given us the ability to edit our genes, life-saving vaccines, and a glimpse at the origins of the universe. But is the system that produced these breakthroughs holding itself back? 

Critics argue that the pressure to publish and fierce competition for funding rewards safe, incremental work over bold thinking and big swings. Yet others see a system still capable of paradigm-shifting discoveries — one where large, worldwide collaborations and long-term thinking motivate scientists to pursue grand, ambitious ideas. 

Now we debate: Is the Scientific Enterprise Too Risk-Averse? Reserve your complimentary ticket now.

Please note: registration and seating are first-come, first-served, so make sure to secure your spot today. All attendees are invited to a post-debate reception in the hall.

Arguing Yes: 

• Tyler Cowen, Author of “The Great Stagnation”; Economics Professor at George Mason University; Founder of Emergent Ventures 
• Brandon Ogbunu, Associate Professor of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at Yale University and Professor at the Santa Fe Institute 

Arguing No: 

• Dr. Kate Biberdorf (“Kate the Chemist”), Professor for the Public Understanding of Science and the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry at the University of Notre Dame; Science Entertainer 
• The Honorable Sethuraman Panchanathan, 15^th Director of the National Science Foundation; University Professor of Technology and Innovation and Foundation Chair at Arizona State University 

Emmy award-winning journalist John Donvan moderates.

The Johns Hopkins Forum Series 

This event is the sixth debate of The Hopkins Forum series, a partnership between Open to Debate and Johns Hopkins University’s Stavros Niarchos Foundation Agora Institute. This flagship series consists of live debates in Washington, D.C., and Baltimore, bringing together diverse perspectives to tackle today’s most pressing issues.