The search for life beyond Earth fascinates scientists and the public alike. Yet people approach the subject with different knowledge, beliefs, experiences, and expectations shaped by media, politics, technology, and culture. Because astrobiology and SETI involve increasingly complex science, misunderstandings and knowledge gaps are common. Addressing them requires more than scientific expertise alone. The Discovery and Futures Lab therefore connects astrobiology and SETI with the social sciences, humanities, and law. By combining these perspectives, the Lab supports clearer communication, deeper public understanding, and more thoughtful consideration of the scientific, cultural, ethical, and legal implications of discovering life beyond Earth elsewhere.