Robert Krulwich

Robert Krulwich
Name	Robert Krulwich
Birth date	5 October 1947
Birth place	New York City, New York, U.S.
Alma mater	University of California, Berkeley, Columbia Law School
Occupation	Journalist, Radio personality, Science communicator
Known for	Co-host of Radiolab, Correspondent for ABC News and CBS News, Krulwich Wonders blog for NPR
Spouse	Tamar Lewin

Robert Krulwich is an American broadcast journalist and science communicator renowned for making complex scientific and economic concepts accessible and engaging to a broad audience. He is best known as the longtime co-host of the acclaimed public radio program and podcast Radiolab alongside Jad Abumrad. Throughout his career, he has worked as a correspondent for major networks including ABC News and CBS News, and has created innovative multimedia projects for NPR and PBS.

Early life and education

Born in New York City, he grew up in a family with a strong interest in the arts and public affairs. He attended the University of California, Berkeley during a period of significant social change, graduating with a degree in history. He subsequently pursued a law degree at Columbia Law School, where he earned his Juris Doctor. His legal education profoundly influenced his analytical approach to storytelling, though he chose not to practice law, instead gravitating toward journalism and media.

Career in journalism

His journalism career began in print, writing for publications like The Village Voice. He transitioned to television in the 1970s, joining WNET, the flagship PBS station in New York City. He gained national prominence as a business and economics correspondent for CBS News on programs such as the CBS Morning News. In the 1980s, he moved to ABC News, where he served as a correspondent for Nightline and World News Tonight, often covering Wall Street and complex financial stories with a distinctive, explanatory style.

Radio and podcast work

His most influential work has been in public radio. He joined WNYC in New York and began collaborating with producer Jad Abumrad, which led to the creation of Radiolab. The program, known for its innovative sound design and deep-dive explorations of scientific and philosophical questions, became a cornerstone of podcasting. He also hosted the Krulwich Wonders blog and podcast for NPR, and has been a frequent contributor to NPR programs like Morning Edition and All Things Considered. His voice and curious interviewing style became synonymous with making abstract ideas tangible for listeners.

Television and multimedia projects

Beyond daily news, he has created and hosted numerous television specials and series that blend science, history, and culture. For PBS, he co-created and hosted the series The Secret Life of Machines and the special A Science Odyssey. He also worked on projects for The Discovery Channel and The Learning Channel. His multimedia approach often incorporated animation, humor, and metaphor, as seen in his collaborations with animator Megan Mullally on explanatory videos for NPR's website, tackling subjects like the 2008 financial crisis and quantum mechanics.

Awards and recognition

His work has been honored with some of journalism's highest awards. He has received multiple Peabody Awards for his contributions to Radiolab and his explanatory reporting. He has also been awarded the Alfred I. duPont–Columbia University Award and several Emmy Awards for his television journalism. In 2014, the American Association for the Advancement of Science awarded him the AAAS Kavli Science Journalism Award for his lifetime achievement in science communication.

Personal life

He is married to journalist Tamar Lewin, a former reporter for The New York Times. They have three children and reside in New York City. Known for his playful and humble on-air persona, he is an avid reader and often draws connections between contemporary science and classical music, literature, and art in his work.

Category:American journalists Category:American radio personalities Category:American science communicators Category:1947 births Category:Living people Category:University of California, Berkeley alumni Category:Columbia Law School alumni Category:People from New York City Category:Radiolab