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Lab Coat Optional

Lab Coat Optional

By: Arizona State University
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Lab Coat Optional is the show where research is made relatable. Each episode, we dive into the research, the people behind it and why it matters. Tune in for smart, accessible conversations on the latest research from Arizona State University, released every other Wednesday.

We are a production of Knowledge Enterprise at ASU. Learn more at research.asu.edu.

Arizona State University
Science
Episodes
  • A look inside a billion-dollar research engine with Lara Ferry
    Dec 18 2025

    From grant strategy and infrastructure to indirect costs, university research relies on a complex, fast-moving system to pursue discoveries and deliver real-world impact. Lara Ferry, vice president of research for ASU Knowledge Enterprise and President’s Professor, joins the show to explain how universities balance basic curiosity-driven work with applied goals, the challenges and opportunities of the current federal funding landscape and more.

    Lab Coat Optional is a production of the Strategic Marketing and Communications team at Arizona State University’s Knowledge Enterprise.

    Follow ASU Research:

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/asu-knowledge-enterprise

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asuresearch/

    Learn more about our work: https://research.asu.edu

    Love the show? Give us a five star review on the podcast app of your choice! We are at the mercy of the mighty, fickle algorithms and reviews help new listeners find our show.

    Do you have thoughts or questions for us? Email us at ke.podcast@asu.edu. We’d love to hear from you! As long as you are nice. Be nice.

    Episode credits

    Executive produced by Kate Howells

    Produced by Alexander Chapin and Pete Zrioka

    Hosted and reported by Pete Zrioka

    Shot by Alexander Chapin and Christian Van Bebber

    Edited by Alexander Chapin and Quinton Kendall

    Original music from Patrick Cheung

    Motion graphics by Andy Ramos

    Art by Andy Keena and Sophia Franz

    Editorial support from Diane Boudreau and Sandy Leander

    Social media management by Lauren Hebing and Kyler Litson

    Show More Show Less
    43 mins
  • The Jane Austen you didn't meet in English class with Devoney Looser
    Dec 16 2025

    Jane Austen’s enduring legacy is a bit like a lace doily: a frilly decoration that covered over the grime of real life in Regency-era Britain.

    But it turns out Austen was much less mild and more wild than public perception — or her family — ever let on.

    In this episode we’re joined by Devoney Looser, Regents Professor of English at Arizona State University and one of the world’s most prominent Austen scholars. Her latest book, Wild for Austen, explores how much sharper, funnier and more rebellious the author really was.

    Get Wild for Austen: A Rebellious, Subversive, and Untamed Jane, from St. Martin’s Press: https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250361332/wildforausten/

    Explore Devoney’s other books: https://www.goodreads.com/author/list/285160.Devoney_Looser

    More from Devoney:

    Subscribe to her Substack: https://devoney.substack.com/

    Visit her online: https://www.devoneylooser.com/

    Lab Coat Optional is a production of the Strategic Marketing and Communications team at Arizona State University’s Knowledge Enterprise.

    Follow ASU Research:

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/asu-knowledge-enterprise

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asuresearch/

    Learn more about our work: https://research.asu.edu

    Love the show? Give us a five star review on the podcast app of your choice! We are at the mercy of the mighty, fickle algorithms and reviews help new listeners find our show.

    Do you have thoughts or questions for us? Email us at ke.podcast@asu.edu. We’d love to hear from you! As long as you are nice. Be nice.

    Episode credits

    Executive produced by Kate Howells

    Produced by Alexander Chapin and Pete Zrioka

    Hosted and reported by Pete Zrioka

    Shot by Alexander Chapin

    Edited by Alexander Chapin and Quinton Kendall

    Original music from Patrick Cheung

    Motion graphics by Andy Ramos

    Art by Andy Keena and Sophia Franz

    Research and editorial support from Mikala Kass

    Social media management by Lauren Hebing and Kyler Litson

    Disclosure:

    Opinions expressed on this show reflect the views of the individuals only, not the policy or opinion of Arizona State University.

    Show More Show Less
    36 mins
  • AI in the age of information abundance with Joshua Garland
    Dec 3 2025

    “Seeing is believing” doesn’t ring as true as it once did. With the advent of generative artificial intelligence, the line between what’s real and not online has become blurred.

    This episode we’re examining generative AI’s impact on the information landscape with researcher Joshua Garland. Joshua leads the Center for Information and Narrative Complexity at the Global Security Initiative at Arizona State University. He’s spent over a decade working with large language models, narrative influence and propaganda campaigns, and researches how to better detect and attribute AI-generated content.

    Learn more about:

    • Center for Information and Narrative Complexity: https://globalsecurity.asu.edu/the-center-on-information-and-narrative-complexity/
    • Global Security Initiative: https://globalsecurity.asu.edu/

    Lab Coat Optional is a production of the Strategic Marketing and Communications team at Arizona State University’s Knowledge Enterprise.

    Follow ASU Research:

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/asu-knowledge-enterprise

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asuresearch/

    Learn more about our work: https://research.asu.edu

    Love the show? Give us a five star review on the podcast app of your choice! We are at the mercy of the mighty, fickle algorithms and reviews help new listeners find our show.

    Do you have thoughts or questions for us? Email us at ke.podcast@asu.edu. We’d love to hear from you! As long as you are nice. Be nice.

    Episode credits

    Executive produced by Kate Howells

    Produced by Alexander Chapin and Pete Zrioka

    Hosted and reported by Pete Zrioka

    Shot by Alexander Chapin

    Edited by Christian Van Bebber

    Original music from Patrick Cheung

    Motion graphics by Andy Ramos

    Art by Andy Keena and Sophia Franz

    Editorial support from Diane Boudreau and Sandy Leander

    Social media management by Lauren Hebing and Kyler Litson

    Disclosure:

    Opinions expressed on this show reflect the views of the individuals only, not the policy or opinion of Arizona State University.

    Show More Show Less
    39 mins
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