Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
What made the United States such a powerhouse in science and innovation? For decades, major investments in research, education, and scientific institutions helped drive discoveries that shaped the modern world. But as U.S. science policy undergoes a dramatic shift, what could this mean for the future of scientific research, innovation, and America's role as a global leader in science? 🇺🇸🔬
In this episode of Chai on Science and Society, astrophysicist and professor Salman Hameed sits down with astrophysicist and science communicator Ethan Siegel to explore the forces behind America's scientific success, and what happens when science policy and priorities change. They discuss the future of science in the United States and Ethan also explains Pasteur's Quadrant, a framework for understanding the relationship between fundamental research and practical applications. Together, they explore how scientific curiosity, research funding, and innovation shape not only discoveries, but society itself.
If you're interested in science policy, scientific research, innovation, astronomy, astrophysics, and the future of science in the United States, this conversation offers an insightful look at why investing in science matters, and what could be at stake when those priorities change. 🔭🧠✨
00:00 Introduction to Ethan Siegel
01:21 Science: A New Golden Age by Trump
04:47 Pasteur Quadrant by Stokes
10:04 Importance of Foundational Research
16:31 ROI of Investing in Science
22:07 Attack on Peer Review System
25:04 Brain drain in the U.S.
29:02 How to Kill a Science Program?
34:35 Restoring Permissionless Innovation
40:24 The Future of Universities & Research?
#science #americanscience #nsf #trump #history #america #budgetcuts #nasa #lunarmissions #louispasteur #alberteinstein #neilsbhor #basicscience #astronomynews #jameswebbspacetelescope #sciencecommunication #astrophysics #podcast #astronomyadventures #urdu
For more information, please read Ethan Siegel column "Starts with a Bang!":
bigthink.com/starts-with-a-bang
Find the two articles mentioned in the video here:
1. An honest look inside the “Science: A New Golden Age” report
bigthink.com/starts-with-a-bang/honest-inside-science-new-golden-age
2. 3 forgotten keys to a real scientific golden age for the USA
bigthink.com/starts-with-a-bang/3-keys-real-scientific-golden-age
Salman Hameed has a PhD in astronomy and is Charles Taylor Chair and Professor of Integrated Science & Humanities at Hampshire College, and a member of the Five College Astronomy Department (FCAD) in Massachusetts, USA. He is also the CEO of the non-profit Kainaat Studios.
You can find more information about Kainaat Studios here:
kainaatstudios.com
Credits:
Host: Salman Hameed
Guest: Ethan Seigel
Editor: Shehryar Shaikh
Music: "Butterfly in Space" by Zohaib Kazi
Support for Kainaat Studios is provided by:
Galactic Orbiters (Founding Supporters):
Iqbal Family Foundation, Getz Pharma, Sahr Foundation, Dr. Zafar Iqbal & Dr. Mehr Iqbal, Khalid Mahmood, Qazi Family Foundation and PixelEdge
Stellar Orbiters:
AIIR Foundation, Ashraf Qazi, Aimen Khan, Slavena Emilova Molle and Abid & Farah Donation Fund
Space Orbiters:
Dr. Abdul Nadir, Dr. Asad Ansari, Dr. Salman Mallick, Dr. Tariq Hameed, Asif Alam, Zubair Faiz, Dr. Kamran Manzoor, Dr. Arsalan Malik, Junaid Qurashi, Adnan Siddiqui and Kashif Saeed
Thank you to all our other monthly donors as well!
If you wish to donate, please visit: kainaatstudios.com/donate
What made the United States such a powerhouse in science and innovation? For decades, major investments in research, education, and scientific institutions helped drive discoveries that shaped the modern world. But as U.S. science policy undergoes a dramatic shift, what could this mean for the future of scientific research, innovation, and America's role as a global leader in science? 🇺🇸🔬
In this episode of Chai on Science and Society, astrophysicist and professor Salman Hameed sits down with astrophysicist and science communicator Ethan Siegel to explore the forces behind America's scientific success, and what happens when science policy and priorities change. They discuss the future of science in the United States and Ethan also explains Pasteur's Quadrant, a framework for understanding the relationship between fundamental research and practical applications. Together, they explore how scientific curiosity, research funding, and innovation shape not only discoveries, but society itself.
If you're interested in science policy, scientific research, innovation, astronomy, astrophysics, and the future of science in the United States, this conversation offers an insightful look at why investing in science matters, and what could be at stake when those priorities change. 🔭🧠✨
00:00 Introduction to Ethan Siegel
01:21 Science: A New Golden Age by Trump
04:47 Pasteur Quadrant by Stokes
10:04 Importance of Foundational Research
16:31 ROI of Investing in Science
22:07 Attack on Peer Review System
25:04 Brain drain in the U.S.
29:02 How to Kill a Science Program?
34:35 Restoring Permissionless Innovation
40:24 The Future of Universities & Research?
#science #americanscience #nsf #trump #history #america #budgetcuts #nasa #lunarmissions #louispasteur #alberteinstein #neilsbhor #basicscience #astronomynews #jameswebbspacetelescope #sciencecommunication #astrophysics #podcast #astronomyadventures #urdu
For more information, please read Ethan Siegel column "Starts with a Bang!":
bigthink.com/starts-with-a-bang
Find the two articles mentioned in the video here:
1. An honest look inside the “Science: A New Golden Age” report
bigthink.com/starts-with-a-bang/honest-inside-science-new-golden-age
2. 3 forgotten keys to a real scientific golden age for the USA
bigthink.com/starts-with-a-bang/3-keys-real-scientific-golden-age
Salman Hameed has a PhD in astronomy and is Charles Taylor Chair and Professor of Integrated Science & Humanities at Hampshire College, and a member of the Five College Astronomy Department (FCAD) in Massachusetts, USA. He is also the CEO of the non-profit Kainaat Studios.
You can find more information about Kainaat Studios here:
kainaatstudios.com
Credits:
Host: Salman Hameed
Guest: Ethan Seigel
Editor: Shehryar Shaikh
Music: "Butterfly in Space" by Zohaib Kazi
Support for Kainaat Studios is provided by:
Galactic Orbiters (Founding Supporters):
Iqbal Family Foundation, Getz Pharma, Sahr Foundation, Dr. Zafar Iqbal & Dr. Mehr Iqbal, Khalid Mahmood, Qazi Family Foundation and PixelEdge
Stellar Orbiters:
AIIR Foundation, Ashraf Qazi, Aimen Khan, Slavena Emilova Molle and Abid & Farah Donation Fund
Space Orbiters:
Dr. Abdul Nadir, Dr. Asad Ansari, Dr. Salman Mallick, Dr. Tariq Hameed, Asif Alam, Zubair Faiz, Dr. Kamran Manzoor, Dr. Arsalan Malik, Junaid Qurashi, Adnan Siddiqui and Kashif Saeed
Thank you to all our other monthly donors as well!
If you wish to donate, please visit: kainaatstudios.com/donate
