NCSE Executive Director Amanda L. Townley presented the Spencer Mass Memorial Lecture, "The Science of Controversy: Understanding and Addressing Public Skepticism About Evolution," at SUNY New Paltz on March 24, 2025. (Listen to Townley's lecture below.)
Townley's talk, part of the university’s Evolutionary Studies Program's seminar series, touched upon the history and legacy of the Scopes "monkey” trial — which is enjoying its centennial in 2025 — focusing on lessons from the trial that are still helpful for engaging with anti-evolution pressures. The talk also addressed the need to focus on addressing misconceptions in the science classroom and public spaces, highlighting effective strategies for communicating about topics that are socially but not scientifically controversial, such as evolution.
In addition to the public event, Townley spoke beforehand with students from several classes at the university, describing her early work in fighting anti-evolution sentiment in the southeastern United States and the many ways in which NCSE protects and ensures that accurate science is taught in K-12 classrooms.
"It is always a pleasure to connect with future generations of scientific thinkers to answer their questions and alleviate concerns about challenges they might face, whether with peers, community members, or relatives," Townley commented. "There is much we can learn from the approach to, and planning and outcomes of, the Scopes trial to inform our efforts to combat public science denial today, especially as critical concepts such as evolution and climate change face growing challenges in both the political and public arenas."
