Meet Audra

I am a writer, editor, and historian based in Philadelphia. With a background in  both science (B.S., chemistry, Purdue University) and history (Ph.D., history and sociology of science, University of Pennsylvania), I think scientists, historians, and everyone else have a lot to learn from each other.

My scholarly work has specifically focused on the role of science during the Cold War, a period when science held a special place in maintaining and projecting state power. I also think and write a lot about the contemporary intersection of science, history, and politics. I’ve shared my insights on science and the Cold War in two books, Freedom’s Laboratory: The Cold War Struggle for the Soul of Science and Competing with the Soviets: Science, Technology, and the State in Cold War America. My writing and reviews have appeared in The AtlanticThe Washington PostScienceThe New ScientistLARBSlate, and the popular history podcast American History Tellers. I’ve talked about science and power on Freakonomics, PRI’s The WorldSpycastRadioTimes, and maybe even your local NPR affiliate. You can follow me on Twitter as @ColdWarScience.

In addition to my work as a writer and historian, I operate an editorial and publishing consulting company, The Outside Reader, that helps writers of serious nonfiction develop their craft. I offer both on-site and online publishing workshops. I’ve also worked in scholarly publishing, radio production, and university teaching.

Click for a full CV.

All author photographs by  © C. C. Wolfe Photography.

Praise for Freedom's Laboratory

Testimonials

Why I Write About Science

As a historian of science, I believe that science cannot be separated from its culture. Science is part of politics, and it is part of power. My goal as a writer and a historian is to help scientists and members of the general public recognize the political nature of science in the fight for justice and freedom for all.