Laura Sydell is a seasoned journalist with over 25 years of experience covering arts, culture, race, and technology in New York City and the Bay Area. Her interest in the intersection of culture and digital technology led her to become NPR's Digital Culture Correspondent. Sydell's educational background includes a JD from Cardozo School of Law, a Freedom Forum Teaching Fellowship from UC Berkeley, a Fellowship in Cultural Journalism from Columbia University, and a BA in Russian Cultural History and Theater from Hobart and William Smith Colleges.

Sydell's passion for the performing arts and audio production has also led her to pursue voice-over work and creative writing. She has also served as a board member for the Center for New Media at UC Berkeley, Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive, and the National Arts Journalism Program. She has also been a lecturer at the Graduate School of Journalism at UC Berkeley and a senior reporter for MarketPlace Direct and WNYC.