Navigating Academia: Challenges, Equity, and Resilience
In 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 Welcome
01:25 Recap of Previous Discussion
02:06 Current Challenges in Academia and STEM
06:24 Impact of Political Decisions on Healthcare
10:43 Women's Reproductive Rights and Healthcare
22:56 Gender Issues in Academia
34:30 Balancing Parenthood and Academia
35:51 Navigating Tenure and Family Life
37:24 Challenges of Maternity Leave in Academia
39:40 Supportive Environments and Human Connections
41:56 Structural Changes for a Humane Academia
47:44 The Importance of Work-Life Balance
01:00:14 Hope for the Future of Academia
01:04:25 Podcast Outro and Call to Action
Additional Resources
Kristen’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.
