How National Labs Drive U.S. Scientific Leadership

The U.S. National Laboratory system, an extension of the federal Department of Energy, has been directly involved in some of the most important science and technology breakthroughs of the modern era. Every day, their experts are directly involved in the research needed to sustain U.S. economic growth and keep the nation’s scientific enterprise ahead of its adversaries.In this fourth and final episode of Talking Policy’s Technology and Global Security in the 21st Century miniseries, guest host Nicolas Wittstock speaks with Dr. Patricia Falcone, the deputy director for science and technology at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. Together, they discuss the history and purpose of the national labs, and the critical role they play in American innovation and global leadership.This episode was recorded on July 17, 2025. The conversation has been edited for length and clarity.