Representation with Caroline Heldman

By | 09/28/2026

Host Cynthia Bemis Abrams speaks with Caroline Heldman, PhD, about the power of media to shape cultural change and the political imagination. They explore how television, streaming, film, advertising, social media, and AI influence who audiences see as leaders, experts, protagonists, and decision-makers.

Heldman explains her work developing “The Scully Effect” as it related to representation of women in STEM fields. Further, she stresses the importance of both quantitative and qualitative representation, the impact of inclusive storytelling on career aspirations, and continuing gaps affecting women, people of colour, LGBTQIA+ people and those of differing physical abilities and size.

Resources noted:

The Geena Davis Institute for Gender in Media — Research and practical resources for representation in entertainment and advertising, including the “Be It, See It” message. https://geenadavisinstitute.org/
Stacy Smith at USC — Professor and Founder of the Annenberg Inclusion Initiative https://an nenberg.usc.edu/faculty/stacy-l-smith
Dr. Martha Lauzen at SDSU — Media representation research.
Common Sense Media — Media research and guidance for families and educators. https://about.commonsensemedia.org/
Caroline Heldman’s forthcoming book — The Presidential Gender Penalty: From Victoria Woodhull to Kamala Harris. https://www.bloomsbury.com/ca/presidential-gender-penalty-9798216392248/