We are proud to present our keynote speakers for the 2021 Iowa Ideas conference. Please check back for further updates and announcements as we reveal the remaining speakers!
Opening Keynote
Opening Keynote Speaker, October 14, 2021
David Gould
Visiting Associate Professor
@ U of Iowa's Public Policy Center
About David
David Gould is a Visiting Associate Professor at the University of Iowa’s Public Policy Center.
For over a decade, the focus of Mr. Gould’s work has revolved around reimagining higher education, and in turn, he has created a number of distinctive university courses concentrated on issues of meaning and community engagement.
These courses have garnered considerable media attention and professional recognition. From 2010 – 2020, graduating seniors at the University of Iowa have recognized Mr. Gould as one of the top faculty and staff members “who has had a positive effect on their life.” Mr. Gould was awarded the 2020 Honors Teaching Award and 2019 David J. Skorton Staff Excellence Award in Service to The University of Iowa.
Iowa Native • Former Nasa Astronaut
First Female Space Station Commander
About Peggy
Peggy Whitson has over 35 years in space and science experience with NASA and as a consultant. During that time, she has held various positions, including Chief of the Astronaut Office, Commander of the International Space Station (twice), Chair of the Astronaut Selection Board, Science Officer, Operations Branch Chief, Deputy Division Chief for both Medical Sciences and the Astronaut Office, and co-chair of the US/Russian Mission Science Working Group. She is currently consulting with Axiom Space and training as the backup Commander for the first Axiom Commercial space flight to the ISS.
Whitson has flown on three long duration missions to the International Space Station (ISS) (Expeditions 5, 16, 50/51/52) and has more cumulative time in space than any US astronaut and more than any woman in the world (665 days). She has conducted 10 Extra-Vehicular Activities (EVA, spacewalks) with over 60 hours to her credit, and performed hundreds of research experiments on board the ISS.
In the coming days and weeks leading up to the full Iowa Ideas conference on October 14-15, we invite you to return and read more about the featured speakers and panelists you'll engage with as we explore topics relevant to our communities and Iowa's future.
Presented By
Closing Keynote
Peggy Whitson
Iowa Native • Former Nasa Astronaut
First Female Space Station Commander
Peggy Whitson has over 35 years in space and science experience with NASA and as a consultant. During that time, she has held various positions, including Chief of the Astronaut Office, Commander of the International Space Station (twice), Chair of the Astronaut Selection Board, Science Officer, Operations Branch Chief, Deputy Division Chief for both Medical Sciences and the Astronaut Office, and co-chair of the US/Russian Mission Science Working Group.
Presented By
Opening Keynote
David Gould
Visiting Associate Professor
@ U of Iowa's Public Policy Center
October 14, 2021
Iowa Ideas Keynote Speaker
Ideas 21 | Keynote
Previously, Mr. Gould served the University of Iowa as an administrator at the BelinBlank International Center for Gifted Education and Talent, the Associate Director of Professional Student Development in the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, a Lecturer in the Department of Health and Human Physiology, and the first Obermann Center Public Scholar. Mr. Gould also worked with Zappos CEO Tony Hsieh’s Downtown Project in its effort to transform Las Vegas into the “most community-focused large city in the world.”
Opening Keynote Speaker, October 14, 2021David Gould
Closing Keynote Speaker, October 15, 2021Peggy Whitson