Ep. 13: Kristen Kroll on the Intersection of Science, Academia, and Politics

from We Made This Political Podcast · host Lauren Hall, Lura Forcum, and Kristen Kroll

In this episode of 'We Made This Political,' hosts Lura Forcum and Lauren Hall engage in an enlightening conversation with Kristen Kroll, a developmental biologist at the University of Washington in St. Louis. The discussion covers a wide range of topics, including the complexities and challenges of conducting cutting-edge scientific research, the evolving landscape of academia, the impact of recent political changes on scientific funding and integrity, and the importance of diversity and equity in STEM fields. Kristen also shares her personal journey and passion for bridging the gap between science and public understanding. Tune in for a riveting exploration of how politics and science intersect in today's world.00:00 Introduction and Overview00:48 Meet the Hosts and Guest01:43 Kristen Kroll's Academic Journey02:40 Advancements in Developmental Neurobiology04:19 Challenges in Research Funding06:47 The Impact of Federal Funding Cuts07:53 Public Perception and Misinformation10:44 The Role of Advocacy in Science12:59 The Complexity of Modern Science16:54 The Threat to Academic Integrity20:21 The Future of Scientific Research35:41 The Complexity of Modern Research36:41 Challenges in Healthcare Policy37:28 The Issue of Paywalls in Scientific Publishing37:58 The Financial Burden of Publishing40:27 The Role of NIH Public Access Policy42:23 Diversity and Access in STEM43:28 The Future of Academia and Career Advice45:35 The Impact of Politics on Science48:19 The Importance of Representation in Science48:57 Kristen's Advocacy and Outreach Efforts51:29 Closing Remarks and Future Discussions01:09:56 Dismantling Expertise in American Institutions01:11:53 Political Motivations Behind Budget Cuts01:13:13 The Rise of Techno-Fascism01:15:15 Challenges in Communicating Science01:19:01 Complexity in Modern Science and Academia01:28:33 The Predatory Nature of Scientific Publishing01:33:28 Advice for Women and Marginalized Groups in STEM01:39:16 Concluding Thoughts and Future DirectionsAdditional ResourcesKristen’s Substack is Democracy, Social Justice, Education, and the Common GoodYou can find her research and academic work on the Washington University website. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit wemadethispolitical.substack.com

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This episode was published on August 4, 2025.

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