July 05, 2025

STEM Everyday #300 | STEM, Technology, & Privacy | feat. Dr Leslie Gruis

36 minutes

Born a patriot, Dr. Leslie Gruis spent 30 years as a mathematician and intelligence officer at the National Security Agency, where she helped develop technology solutions that balanced national security with civil rights. She later served at U.S. Cyber Command and the National Intelligence Council. Now retired, she writes and speaks on privacy, surveillance, and democracy—making complex topics accessible for everyday Americans. Dr. Gruis is the author of Privacy: Past, Present, and Future, The Privacy Pirates, and a forthcoming third book. She also mentors K–12 STEM students, with a special focus on middle school girls.

Dr Gruis on math: "In my experience, students rarely struggle with content alone. What they often lack is confidence and context. Many bright students are afraid to try, afraid to fail, or unsure how what they’re learning fits into the real world. The most impactful thing educators can do is show them that problem-solving isn’t about perfection—it’s about curiosity."

Dr Gruis on privacy: "One crucial point is that privacy is not just a personal preference—it’s a civic right. When we give up privacy, even in small ways, we weaken our ability to think, speak, and dissent freely. It’s not just about protecting data; it’s about protecting civil rights. Devices like Ring doorbells, fitness trackers, and smartphones collect massive amounts of data, often without people fully realizing the long-term social impacts. This normalization of surveillance makes it even more urgent that we think critically about the trade-offs."

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