Page 12 - Summer 2021

Keynote addresses can be very stimulating for communi- cating advances in acoustics and as a benefit for attending meetings. The ASA often has keynote addresses at joint international meetings but rarely at domestic meetings. Because it was one of my goals as president, I am pleased that keynote addresses were incorporated during my vir- tual term. For the Fall meeting, Jim West (former ASA president and Gold Medal recipient; see bit.ly/3kSypyw) and his daughter Ellington West provided an engaging lecture on digital stethoscopes (video of the keynote ses- sion is acousticstoday.org/AVEkeynote). For the Spring meeting, Carol Espy-Wilson (previous associate editor of The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America and on the Advisory Council for the National Institute on Deaf- ness and Communication Disorders [NIDCD]) presents research on speech tools to diagnose mental health issues. In addition, a second keynote address by Sylvester James “Jim” Gates, Jr. (Ford Foundation Professor of Physics, Brown University; president of the American Physical Society; member of the National Academy of Sciences) addresses how to improve the culture in scientific soci- eties to broaden diversity both in the membership and in the science. I am establishing an ad hoc committee to manage the selection and presentation of keynote addresses for future domestic ASA meetings.
New Programs
An important role of any president is to identify and facili- tate new programs for the Society. As a founding member of the Committee to Improve Racial Diversity and Inclusivity (CIRDI; see bit.ly/348Gbyk), I have pursued opportunities to facilitate its work. Chair Tyrone Porter has been a dedi- cated leader of the CIRDI by raising awareness of diversity, equality and inclusion (DEI) in the ASA as well as start- ing an entirely new summer program for Black and other minority undergraduates (see bit.ly/39rijJ7).
In this, my last column, I share with you a particularly important statement about DEI for all ASA members to consider. This statement is derived from the report of Daryl G. Smith (senior research fellow and professor emerita at Claremont Graduate University, Claremont, CA) who was the DEI consultant who assessed prob- lems underlying the ASA’s lack of diversity. The report
also recommended steps that the ASA can take to become a more equitable and inclusive Society. The report states it is an “institutional imperative” for the ASA to embed DEI throughout the Society, from mem- bership to medals/awards, to technical initiatives and to leadership, for the Society to evolve and reach our full potential. Moreover, leadership starting with the EC must guide us through this evolution and inspire the membership to actively participate in our transfor- mation. This is an imperative because the alternative is dissolution of this great Society.
Another new program initiated this year is the ASA Webi- nar Series. This program became possible because virtual technology is now an ordinary means for learning and communication. Judy Dubno spearheaded the implemen- tation of a monthly ASA webinar series that is open to both ASA members and nonmembers. The webinars focus on topics of interest to the general ASA membership and the broader acoustics community. The first webinar began in January 2021 with Patricia Kuhl’s presentation on infant speech perception. Given the excellent early attendance from around the world (~450), the Technical Council Working Group on ASA Webinars was formed, chaired by Linda Polka and having members from across the ASA TCs. The webpage for the Webinar series with videos of past programs is acousticalsociety.org/asa-webinar-series. The working group is open to ideas and suggestions from all ASA members, with input directly to the working group or through your TC chair. Because ASA members have very broad interests across TCs, this new program allows us to learn about acoustics outside our own research niche.
Reflecting on my presidency, improving communication across ASA activities underlies many of the efforts I have led. Because speech communication is my primary tech- nical area, perhaps it has influenced my approach and choice of projects. Specifically, I see communication has improved through the implementation of new technol- ogy and its application to our meetings and governance. I feel satisfied with my contributions to the ASA during this unique year but, like other ASA members, fervently hope that in-person communication will be restored as planned for the Seattle meeting.
12 Acoustics Today • Summer 2021