Release Date:

Dr Erin Macdonald is an astrophysicist, writer, producer, and science advisor. She is a one-woman STEM career panel and currently the science advisor for the Star Trek franchise.

Join us as we talk about Erin's journey through academia, industry, and entertainment, learning to celebrate little wins, and Erin's love of teaching and sharing science to inspire the next generation.

About Dr Erin Macdonald

Erin Macdonald (PhD, Astrophysics) is a tattooed one-woman STEM career panel, with recognition as a researcher, speaker, engineer, and consultant before her current career. She lives in Los Angeles working as a writer and producer and is currently the science advisor for the entire Star Trek franchise.

Listen to the Podcast

Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Amazon Music, Castbox, Deezer, Goodpods, Overcast, Pocket Casts, TuneIn, Blubrry, Podcast Addict, Podchaser, JioSaavn, RSS, and other podcast platforms.

Apple PodcastsSpotifyiHeartRadioAmazon Music

Watch on YouTube

  • [00:00:59] Television and film leading Erin down the path to astrophysics.
  • [00:01:51] Having a passion but not exactly a plan.
  • [00:02:45] Exploring academia.
  • [00:03:05] The challenges of academic life.
  • [00:03:38] Taking the advice of getting some distance from her PhD before making any career decisions.
  • [00:04:51] Transitioning into industry.
  • [00:05:01] Working multiple jobs to pay the bills.
  • [00:05:30] Discovering her transferable skills.
  • [00:06:26] The value of being able to communicate the science.
  • [00:08:54] Finding a space in the con circuit.
  • [00:10:01] Pop culture gives people a reference point for the science.
  • [00:13:42] The path to becoming a science advisor.
  • [00:13:56] Discovering that 'science advisors' exist planted a seed.
  • [00:15:06] Networking and learning more about the process.
  • [00:16:04] Getting on the Star Trek radar.
  • [00:17:20] Science advising is about "yes, and".
  • [00:18:04] The day-to-day.
  • [00:20:31] The story comes first.
  • [00:22:16] The cyclical nature of science, invention and science fiction.
  • [00:24:42] Writing, producing, and looking to the future.
  • [00:25:38] Speaking to those who had come before.
  • [00:26:41] Pros and cons working in this space in the 90s and now.
  • [00:27:43] Starting to write.
  • [00:28:43] Producing a film: Every Morning.
  • [00:32:14] Finding a purpose and a place.
  • [00:33:39] Finding a space where you want it enough and feel that you can make a difference.
  • [00:34:16] Carving out a space for representation in media in various capacities.
  • [00:35:59] "Luck is hard work and knowing what is an opportunity and what's not." – Lucille Ball
  • [00:37:01] The pros and cons of working in academia, industry, and entertainment
  • [00:37:39] The pros of academia.
  • [00:38:24] The cons of academia.
  • [00:39:47] The pros and cons of industry.
  • [00:41:59] Cons of entertainment.
  • [00:42:26] Pros of entertainment.
  • [00:43:17] Celebrate little wins.
  • [00:45:08] Observations about the misconceptions about each of these industries.
  • [00:47:03] The rejection economy, finding ways and reasons to persevere.
  • [00:49:20] Finding mentorship and role models who can guide you.
  • [00:52:24] For academics looking to get out of academia, there are paths for you.
  • [00:53:59] If you're starting a new career, don't be too hard on yourself. You will need time to get up to speed.
  • [00:55:45] Bonus Question 1: What hobby or interest do you have that is most unrelated to your field of work?
  • [00:59:21] Bonus Question 2: Which childhood book holds the strongest memories for you?
  • [01:00:48] Bonus Question 3: What advice you would give someone who wants to do what you do? Or what advice should they ignore?
  • [01:01:01] Get experience in science communication. The skills will benefit you throughout your career(s).
  • [01:02:13] Explore the creative side of your hard science.
  • [01:03:13] Improv and creative thinking provides tools for better and more flexible communication.

Connect with Us

Support STEAM Powered

Review Us

Please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, GoodPods, Podchaser, or your preferred podcatcher.

Become a Patron

Become a patron

Affiliate Programs

Start your own podcast or YouTube channel, or run panels and seminars with Riverside.fm. Record up to 8 people in a session with up to 1000 audience members. You can record in advance as I do, or you can livestream with the option to send it straight to Facebook, Youtube, Twitter, or Twitch. There's even a green-room for guests and live call in for audience members. Afterwards, get separate video (up to 4K) and audio (up to 48kHz) tracks per recorded participant for editing, none of that “active speaker only” limitation. You know you're in good hands with a service whose client-base includes some heavy-hitters. Check out Riverside.fm to see who else is on board. Use promo code STEAM25 to get 25% off the first three months of your subscription.

Music is “Gypsy Jazz in Paris 1935” by Brett Van Donsel.
Loading...