Regina Barber
Astrophysicist, NPR Short Wave Co-Host, and Trailblazing Voice in Science Communication and STEM Equity
- Co-host of NPR’s Ambie Award-winning science podcast Short Wave and a regular voice on the science news roundups heard on All Things Considered
- Astrophysicist who taught physics and astronomy at Western Washington University before joining NPR as Short Wave’s first Scientist in Residence
- Built programs to recruit and retain underrepresented students and faculty as WWU’s first STEM Inclusion and Outreach Specialist, and mentored a student team in science storytelling as host of the podcast Spark Science
- Pairs scientific expertise with humor, pop culture, and a love of fandoms to make complex ideas accessible, memorable, and fun for any audience
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About Regina G Barber Barber
Download ProfileRegina G. Barber is a co-host of Short Wave, NPR’s science podcast.
Barber completed her PhD in physics at Washington State University with a focus in astrophysics, studying globular cluster systems. Before working at NPR, she taught physics and astronomy at Western Washington University where she was also WWU’s first STEM Inclusion and Outreach Specialist. In this role, Barber organized programs to recruit and retain underrepresented faculty and students in STEM fields. During that time, she hosted and was the Executive Producer of the podcast Spark Science, featuring interviews with STEM professionals. For seven seasons, she mentored a student production team in science communication and storytelling.
Barber spent her academic career combining racial and gender equity, science and pop culture into one career. In 2019, she won WWU’s Womxn of Color Empowerment Faculty Award. She is also an alumna of the SACNAS (Society for the Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics & Native Americans in Science) Leadership Institute and a former Jackson Wild Media Lab Fellow.
Coming from academia, she loves the fast-paced, team-focused environment at Short Wave. She also loves TV, cartoons, robots and fandoms.
Speech Topics
Download TopicsFrom skies that glowed in unexpected places to stars bright enough to outshine the day, history is full of astonishing scientific events most people have never heard of. Dr. Regina Barber uncovers these hidden stories with energy and wit, revealing the science behind them and leaving audiences curious to discover more.
Great ideas only matter if people understand them. Dr. Regina Barber shows scientists, engineers, and technical professionals how to cut through jargon, find the story in their work, and explain complex ideas in ways any audience can grasp and remember.
Dr. Regina Barber is a skilled moderator who brings energy, warmth, and clarity to panels, fireside chats, and Q&A sessions.
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