Ben Goldacre highlights some ways of disseminating data to help those struggling to decide who to vote for.
He also points out what a plonker David Cameron is.
Wednesday 28 April 2010
Monday 26 April 2010
Jack of all trades and master of none?
Things you may not know about me: I speak a little french, I have attended acting classes, I have taken a short course in swedish massage, I have a cooking magazine subscription, I have just started sewing classes (so I can do dress making in Summer), and plan on starting a DIY course in October. Or I am a bilingual drama queen with strong hands that does a mean morrocan chicken, wearing old cushion covers as a shirt, eyeing up your plumbing. But am I any good at any of them or does being distinctly average at many things give me the upper hand?
I mention all this with reference to interdisciplinary research projects. A recent survey published in Science Careers (L. Bonetta, The Evolving Post Doctoral Experience, Science Careers, 2009) revealed many interesting statistics which I could blog lyrical about. The one that struck me the most was that 39% of supervisors said that there current postdoc is what they would consider 'outstanding.' Now Science Careers say that 'only 39%' are considered outstanding and I'm not sure personally if that over a third being outstanding is a bad or good number. The point that they made is that this was a drop from the previous survey in 2007 from 45 %. One explanation for this drop was explained by David Kreil, Boku University, Vienna, "It is rare to find postdocs with really strong skills in both life sciences and in a technical area."
Is it right that postdocs should not been deemed excellent because they are no longer specialists but gleaning a limited amount of various skills across disciplines? Is this not the fodder of grant proposals and the aid to a flurry of ideas? Should there be a more factory line process e.g. chemist, biologist, pharmacist, it didn't work, start again?
With regards to my own research, I think it is imperative to understand my work completely, to create a flow of good ideas and how the research translates. Being capable of doing that to the level I want to is extremely challenging. I have tried attending undergraduate pharmacy classes but it is not always possible to fit them in and I have been trying to read pharmacology and physiology textbooks (Cheers G-is the liver really that important?). I need to be realistic about what I need to know, form some questions, talk to the specialists and hopefully get pointed in the right direction.
My biggest worry about being a jack of all trades is when the time comes to move to a new job: sum yourself up in 3 words...'good all rounder.' Employable?
I particularly like knowing a wee bit about all the areas to do with my research. My task over the next 2 years is to become outstandingly non-specialised!
Sarah
Wednesday 21 April 2010
Live webcam chat - Science in Haiti
Next Tuesday (27th) NSF are presenting a series of webcasts reporting the research of scientists and engineers working in Haiti since the January earthquake. The work surrounds social science, geophysicists and structures. As recent events have proven, geology plays a huge part in everyday life, and the number of disciplines involved in studying the causes and effects of such events range vastly. More information is found on the NSF website www.nsf.gov/haiti2010.
the link for the webcast is www.science360.gov/live
Ali
the link for the webcast is www.science360.gov/live
Ali
Thursday 15 April 2010
going nowhere.....fast!
Just a wee thought...
So mothernature herself has grounded all manner of £50-get-aways to random european destinations, ruining stag and hen parties ahoy. And as with most of the british general public, who is to blame!?!!!!!!
No-one seems to be concentrating on the absolute beauty of the eruption or the importance of seeing life and geology combine with force, and it is important to remember that these types of eruptions created the world we live in and that these eruptions can last days-months-years-millenia (sorry Ryanair!). Having been included in discussions over whether we should collect ash samples which have fallen in Shetland, there are many questions over what the volcanic ash is worth in biogeochemical and ecological terms. The imporance of looking at changing modern systems with the aim to deconstructing eearth events which created the ancient geological record are highly imporant, although as WHO reports there is little harm to human health, what is the cost ot natural environments and the increase of toxic gases within the atmosphere.
On the BBC news this morning, it has been stated that with the grounding of aeroplanes all over Europe, 200,000 tonnes of CO2 are being saved a week, but what will occur in terms of SO2 emissions and how will the translate in both short term and longer term key element cycles?
So mothernature herself has grounded all manner of £50-get-aways to random european destinations, ruining stag and hen parties ahoy. And as with most of the british general public, who is to blame!?!!!!!!
No-one seems to be concentrating on the absolute beauty of the eruption or the importance of seeing life and geology combine with force, and it is important to remember that these types of eruptions created the world we live in and that these eruptions can last days-months-years-millenia (sorry Ryanair!). Having been included in discussions over whether we should collect ash samples which have fallen in Shetland, there are many questions over what the volcanic ash is worth in biogeochemical and ecological terms. The imporance of looking at changing modern systems with the aim to deconstructing eearth events which created the ancient geological record are highly imporant, although as WHO reports there is little harm to human health, what is the cost ot natural environments and the increase of toxic gases within the atmosphere.
On the BBC news this morning, it has been stated that with the grounding of aeroplanes all over Europe, 200,000 tonnes of CO2 are being saved a week, but what will occur in terms of SO2 emissions and how will the translate in both short term and longer term key element cycles?
Tuesday 13 April 2010
Article of the day
www.guardian.co.uk/science/2010/apr/13/science-cool
A cheeky little article in Guardian with various opinions about the growth of affection for science and the possibility that we have entered a golden age. Authors also comment on the worry of future funding regardless of the next party that is in government...
A cheeky little article in Guardian with various opinions about the growth of affection for science and the possibility that we have entered a golden age. Authors also comment on the worry of future funding regardless of the next party that is in government...
Monday 12 April 2010
If I were a fisherman, would I be any good at making a network?
Networking.
The very word makes me feel cold even though I realise the necessity of it in a scientist's life, no matter what stage they are at in their career. I much prefer the word 'collaborating.' It has a warm, fuzzy, 'we're in this together' tone as opposed to the 'we are using each other' ring that networking has.
Has this association stopped me from networking? Since giving it some thought, I realised that so far, I have networked naturally. Fortuitous meetings with friends or friends of friends have led to some good contacts for advice or sources. Even a conversation about networking for this blog has ended up with me getting some help for a sci. comm. project that I am working on. It is the natural introduction which I find helps, for me personally, to network. Do I have it in me to approach someone at a conference and strike a conversation, what about online etiquette for those hard-to-reach places? I would happily ask the right friend for advice on shoes or a film recommendation, so why not the right person in my research area about my research?
I have come around to thinking that how I network and market myself is more important than my own angst about looking silly. I just need to grow some, get out there and work them nets. At this stage in my career, I am not looking for a new job (I have only post-doc'd for 6 months and I love it), so I have been trying to figure out what I want to achieve from networking:
- Access to unpublished information-techniques, equipment etc.
- Possibility of working in another environment for training
- Form and develop professional relationships
- Inspiration!
- Collaborations
- Problem solving/ sharing and advice
There are obviously many networks that I am naturally part of: family, friends, work colleagues (old and new) and these 'strong links' will always be great for bouncing ideas off. One area that may be more accute in it's rewards is online networking which is something I will be working on. I am not including my facebook in that as I am not too sure how Stephen Lippard would feel about me after reading my profile. I have, however, started with this blog (hoorah!) and this week have joined myRSC, a "highly interactive online community." I have also been looking at more professional social networking sites such as LinkedIn, academia.edu and researchGATE with the aim of recognising people in areas I am interested in.
The goal is to make that initial meeting as professional and meaningful as possible so that I get something out of it and don't look like a proper prat. With this in mind, I am taking part in a training course, run by Vitae, about career development. One of the themes is....networking! Ta-Da!
As always comment, tips, advice and experiences welcome. Iain left a great post about networking on my last instalment which I have used as inspiration (check)-cheers!
Right, I am off to catch me a science fishy-will update with progress!
Tuesday 6 April 2010
a wee extra post
two quick exciting science updates......
1. Wee Rob of ex-organic geochemistry fame at Newcastle (now at NIOZ, Texel, Holland so maybe he has missed all the kerfuffle around Wonders of the Solar System....) has casually informed me he was on board the same WHOI Atlantis cruise with none other than science-man of the moment Prof Brian Cox when he was filming for the final episode of Wonders, and they had a fantastic geobiology chat and cup of tea. Anyone who knows Rob will maybe see the resemblance of the two?! bet they had great musical banter......
2. I've just been invited onto the International Summer Geobiology Course which this year includes a field trip to Yellowstone Park, whilst based at the Colorado School of Mines and Wrigley Institute, Catalina Island, USC, California!!!!!! So excited, 20 scientists on a 5 week field course covering all aspects of geobiology in ancient earth systems, this is real exciting science into early earth evolutionary processes. awesome! For more information see: http://college.usc.edu/wrigley/education/geobio.cfm
1. Wee Rob of ex-organic geochemistry fame at Newcastle (now at NIOZ, Texel, Holland so maybe he has missed all the kerfuffle around Wonders of the Solar System....) has casually informed me he was on board the same WHOI Atlantis cruise with none other than science-man of the moment Prof Brian Cox when he was filming for the final episode of Wonders, and they had a fantastic geobiology chat and cup of tea. Anyone who knows Rob will maybe see the resemblance of the two?! bet they had great musical banter......
2. I've just been invited onto the International Summer Geobiology Course which this year includes a field trip to Yellowstone Park, whilst based at the Colorado School of Mines and Wrigley Institute, Catalina Island, USC, California!!!!!! So excited, 20 scientists on a 5 week field course covering all aspects of geobiology in ancient earth systems, this is real exciting science into early earth evolutionary processes. awesome! For more information see: http://college.usc.edu/wrigley/education/geobio.cfm
Ali: 3 months to go......
ok, so i should be writing, but we all know its best to take a break for ten mins every now and then.......
awww, isnt sarah a total science doll?! I should introduce my work too......
I am currently writing my thesis at Newcastle University, studying an experimental approach to transition metal redox cycling within sulfidic environments. During my project ive been studying sulfide mediated reductive dissolution of iron oxides, and the fractionation of Fe and multiple S isotopes during this process. My study has largely been laboratory based on synthetic mineral models with an application to modern natural sediments (ie dirty work) and id class myself as an inorganic/isotope geochemist. Im interested in all aspects of biogeochemical cycling and the mechanisms associated to redox systems (reduction, dissolution, adsorption, precipitation, oxidation...) at the sediment-water boundary in many different marine environments (oxic/anoxic/sulfidic). I dont like to limit myself in the field and really see the value in studying modern sedimentary systems as analogues of ancient rock records. I also follow the use of tranisition metal isotopes sensitive redox- depositional markers of paleoenvironments and paleoclimate. I have just accepted my first post doc at the University of Cologne inorganic/organic and isotope markers of ancient climate systems during the Mid-Cretaceous era (112-109Ma) which was a period of massive climate change, green house effects, sea level change and volcanic activity.
Like sarah i wanted to start the blog basically to see if anyone else can give me information and advice on all the problems a young researcher encounters, and to maybe help change the perception of science amongst todays young society. Its hard work but is the best job i can imagine!!!!!!!
awww, isnt sarah a total science doll?! I should introduce my work too......
I am currently writing my thesis at Newcastle University, studying an experimental approach to transition metal redox cycling within sulfidic environments. During my project ive been studying sulfide mediated reductive dissolution of iron oxides, and the fractionation of Fe and multiple S isotopes during this process. My study has largely been laboratory based on synthetic mineral models with an application to modern natural sediments (ie dirty work) and id class myself as an inorganic/isotope geochemist. Im interested in all aspects of biogeochemical cycling and the mechanisms associated to redox systems (reduction, dissolution, adsorption, precipitation, oxidation...) at the sediment-water boundary in many different marine environments (oxic/anoxic/sulfidic). I dont like to limit myself in the field and really see the value in studying modern sedimentary systems as analogues of ancient rock records. I also follow the use of tranisition metal isotopes sensitive redox- depositional markers of paleoenvironments and paleoclimate. I have just accepted my first post doc at the University of Cologne inorganic/organic and isotope markers of ancient climate systems during the Mid-Cretaceous era (112-109Ma) which was a period of massive climate change, green house effects, sea level change and volcanic activity.
Like sarah i wanted to start the blog basically to see if anyone else can give me information and advice on all the problems a young researcher encounters, and to maybe help change the perception of science amongst todays young society. Its hard work but is the best job i can imagine!!!!!!!
Introduction from Sarah
How to follow such a lovely introduction? I suppose an explanation of my own motivations for this blog is a good start... I have been post-doc'ing for 6 months now, working with anticancer drugs and improving their delivery (I hope) and I had a rather short-sighted impression that once I finished my PhD (in oligonucleotide peptide conjugation), my career would fall into place. I definitely have chosen correctly for myself by staying in research but becoming absolutely wonderful at it is a whole different challenge.
It is difficult to know what opportunities are out there, what things that you should do to improve your career path. Is it all down to publishing papers? Where and how and who do you start networking with? How can you keep on top of the knowledge? How do you get the ideas that are going to secure you that fellowship?! It is these questions and others which I hope to work through and get valuable input from our future followers as well as blogging on about interesting science articles and issues.
I noticed that Imperial college have a postdoctoral development centre which I think is a tremendous idea. They have 1900 post-docs and everyone is giving the opportunity to attend training and workshops and other kinds of support. The great thing is that external applicants can attend too. If my boss ever gives me the £450 to attend a course, I will blog all about it. Until then let's consider this our postdoctoral development centre!
Sarah
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