Why Science Funding Matters

04/14/25 • 17 min

Today is a solo episode with your host, Alex Chansky! I talk about why I do this show — in addition to some personal reasons, this channel is a great opportunity to make scientific research more accessible and understandable to the public!

This is especially important in recent months as research funding cuts are proposed and our country’s top research institutions are cutting people & projects. So why is science funding important? Listen to find out more!

00:00 Why I do this show

01:20 Why Public Understanding of Science matters

05:36 Current Funding Threats

08:51 Long-term Funding cut impacts

15:30 Ask Some Questions

Music: 368 by Dyalla

00:00 Why I do this show

01:20 Why Public Understanding of Science matters

05:36 Current Funding Threats

08:51 Long-term Funding cut impacts

15:30 Ask Some Questions

Music: 368 by Dyalla

Previous Episode

Water Diplomacy & Uncertainty with Catherine Knox, PhD Candidate

In this week’s episode, I host Catherine Knox, PhD candidate at Tufts University, to discuss water diplomacy and decision-making! We talk about different ways to think about water management, especially when it stretches across multiple boundaries. Catherine goes on to discuss her work on sea-level rise adaptation in Boston and also how decisions can be made under both uncertainty and ambiguity.

For example, me saying “I have no idea what to write next in this description” is uncertainty. Saying “this description is funny” is ambiguous. Listen and subscribe for more great jokes!

02:55 Water Diplomacy and Transboundary Water Management

04:04 Sea Level Rise Adaptation Project

11:14 Regional Coordination and Stakeholder Engagement

17:48 Public-Private Partnerships and Model Applications

23:47 Paper 2: Decision Making under Uncertainty & Ambiguity

38:27 Personal Insights and Future Directions

Music: 368 by Dyalla

Next Episode

Ancient Earth with Amanda Calhoun, PhD Candidate

In this episode, I host Amanda Calhoun, PhD candidate in the Earth and Planetary Sciences program at Harvard! In one project, Amanda uses carbon isotopes to uncover signs of ancient life. In another project, Amanda uses pyrite (fool’s gold!) to understand Earth’s oxygen history.

Listen to hear about the history of both our atmosphere and life itself!

00:00 Intro and Overview

02:46 Research Projects Explained

05:41 Fieldwork and Sample Collection

12:35 Goals & Implications of projects

15:27 Origins of Life, Applications, and Environmental Impact

21:04 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Music: 368 by Dyalla