
How Regina Barber Connects Science, Race, and Storytelling
From What’s Next? by BTPM NPR
April 27, 2026 · 55 min · Episode 343
About this episode
Regina Barber discusses her journey in science, the importance of representation, and the role of storytelling in science communication.
Today on What’s Next?, we speak with Regina Barber, physicist and host of NPR’s Short Wave. Barber shares how her upbringing in a racially divided community and her love of Star Trek helped shape her path into science. She also discusses the importance of representation in media, the role of storytelling in science communication, and why making science more inclusive matters. The conversation also explores the ongoing challenges and progress around racial equity.
People in this episode
Host: BTPM NPR
Guest: Regina Barber
Topics covered
- science
- race
- storytelling
- representation
- media
- inclusivity
- racial equity
Keywords
- science
- race
- storytelling
- representation
- NPR
- inclusivity
- racial equity
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: NPR
Books & works: Star Trek
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