Ep. 15: Kristen Kroll, Part II

Navigating Academia: Challenges, Equity, and ResilienceIn this episode of 'We Made This Political,' hosts Lura Forcum and Lauren Hall welcome back Dr. Kristen Kroll, Professor of Developmental Biology at Washington University, St. Louis, to discuss the multifaceted challenges faced by women in academia—especially in the STEM fields. They delve into the impacts of political decisions on scientific research and healthcare, highlighting issues of equity, access, and the systemic barriers that persist. Despite the current political climate and budget cuts, the conversation remains hopeful, emphasizing the importance of humanizing academia, supporting work-life balance, and fostering a nurturing, inclusive environment for all scholars.00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome01:25 Recap of Previous Discussion02:06 Current Challenges in Academia and STEM06:24 Impact of Political Decisions on Healthcare10:43 Women's Reproductive Rights and Healthcare22:56 Gender Issues in Academia34:30 Balancing Parenthood and Academia35:51 Navigating Tenure and Family Life37:24 Challenges of Maternity Leave in Academia39:40 Supportive Environments and Human Connections41:56 Structural Changes for a Humane Academia47:44 The Importance of Work-Life Balance01:00:14 Hope for the Future of Academia01:04:25 Podcast Outro and Call to ActionAdditional ResourcesKristen’s Substack is Democracy, Social Justice, Education, and the Common Good.You can find her research and academic work on the Washington University website.Kristen discusses The Exceptions, a book about female scientists at MIT in the 1960s and the institutional sexism they faced. Read more about this book by author and journalist Kate Zernike here. 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