Registration Opens for Two-week Virtual 2021 AIAA SciTech Forum Written 26 October 2020

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Diversity and international collaboration driving themes of programming

October 26, 2020 – Reston, Va. – Registration opens today for the 2021 AIAA SciTech Forum, the world’s largest event for aerospace research, development, and technology. Hosted by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), the 2021 forum will focus on two central themes: diversity and international collaboration. In addition to being the first all-virtual AIAA SciTech Forum, event programming will be expanded to a two-week format – 11–15 January and 19–21 January 2021.

“This year has clearly shown us the importance of diversity and inclusion in every aspect of our lives and industries, and the aerospace sector is no exception,” said AIAA Executive Director Daniel Dumbacher. “The 2021 AIAA SciTech Forum will stress the role and importance of diversity in further advancing all aspects of our industry – from our teams and their perspectives to technologies and design cycles to vertical markets. When underrepresented voices finally get a seat at the table and we actively listen, we make great strides toward more innovations within our field.”

The expanded eight days of programming offers a convenient, condensed daily schedule, allowing attendees to balance their workload and home life while attending a virtual event. Each day will be anchored by a high-level plenary, lecture, or keynote, with 2,500+ technical presentations, Forum 360 panels, networking opportunities, and special sessions scheduled throughout the forum.

The 2021 event programming will cover 50+ research topics, including: fluid dynamics; applied aerodynamics; guidance, navigation, and control; structures; and more. Some of the planned programming elements include:

  • “Aerospace Rising to Meet Global Challenges” – a keynote from Chris Raymond, vice president, Sustainability, Strategy and Corporate Development for The Boeing Company 
  • “Empowering Innovation” – a Forum 360 examining how workforce diversity drives creativity, innovation, and performance results 
  • “Embracing Emerging Markets” – a Forum 360 showcasing the number and vast diversity within new entrants to the aerospace community 

Some of the confirmed speakers thus far include: 

  • Eileen Drake, CEO and president, Aerojet Rocketdyne
  • Richard French, director, Business Development and Strategy, Space Systems, Rocket Lab
  • Pamela Melroy, member, National Space Council Users’ Advisory Group; former NASA astronaut/Space Shuttle commander
  • Jaiwon Shin, executive vice president, Urban Air Mobility Division, Hyundai
  • Steven Walker, vice president and CTO, Lockheed Martin Corporation

The current schedule and list of speakers/panelists is still evolving. Access the most current information here.

Despite the pandemic causing the move to a virtual event format, AIAA is committed to delivering the same high-quality experience for the more than 5,000 forum participants.

“We’ve put safety at the forefront, creating a dynamic online experience that still allows us to present more than 2,500 technical papers across dozens of topics impacting our industry,” Dumbacher said. “There will still be robust opportunities for networking and career growth. Plus, many programming components will live online after the event, allowing attendees to revisit some of their favorite sessions and deepen their learning in the months to come.”

For the most up-to-date program and registration information visit www.aiaa.org/SciTech.

Media contact: Brian Talbot, briant@aiaa.org, 703.980.4132

About AIAA
The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) is the world’s largest aerospace technical society. With nearly 30,000 individual members from 91 countries, and 100 corporate members, AIAA brings together industry, academia, and government to advance engineering and science in aviation, space, and defense. For more information, visit www.aiaa.org, or follow AIAA on TwitterFacebook, or LinkedIn.