Down the pub of a Friday evening and I get chatting to a biology teacher. I explain what it is that I do, we have a bit of science chat and he asked if I would come and speak to his pupils about being a research scientist 1) because a lot of his students only take science to get into medicine and 2) because I was so enthusiastic.
This made me think a number of things:
A. How often outside of work or a classroom do I chat about science (with the exception of those ‘and what is it you do ?’ moments at dinner parties/ meeting the Queen (not really the Queen))
B. I am enthusiastic about what I do when I am not in work or a classroom.
C. Do I want to go and tell a bunch of high achieving school kids to try research science instead of guaranteed well paid job of a doctor?
Let’s take these in turn.
A. I have enjoyed science communication activities for about 4 years now, giving me another forum to talk about science but it’s not something that I do ‘socially’. Recently, around a dinner table, I was asked to explain nanotechnology and broke out into a cold sweat. I wasn’t prepared, even though I have been involved with this concept for the last 6 years of my life. I got through it and think I gave them satisfactory answers but these events did make me think, it would be beneficial for scientists and the public, if we got a bit more chatty about it. So much of our research is a precious little secret but non-researchers really are interested, have great questions and to be able to break down what we researchers do into concepts that can be understood (and have confidence in this), can do wonders all round. This is something that maybe experienced researchers will nod their heads at in remembrance, “been at that stage”, the stage of fulfilling an expectation. I rather enjoyed it.
B. Generally when you speak in front of an audience, you’re projecting your voice and its quite a high energy thing. In work, you want to appear competent and enthusiastic too, so when I wasn’t in any of these modes, I was delighted when I was asked to talk to the school kids because of the pleasure I took in explaining what I do. And it’s true. Despite at times, how much I gripe about CHNs that are out, supervising students etc., I really love research. (Please don’t be sick.)
C. I always get this pang of guilt when I talk to school kids about careers. I feel like I’ve not told them the whole truth even if I do put a pro’s and con’s list in. My partner is a doctor, all his friends are doctors (just about) and they have lots of money and guaranteed work, and work that they talk about down the pub. Research may not pay as well as NHS doctors but if you love it like I do, then it really doesn’t matter. It doesn’t pay a pittance, you get out what you put in and it can take you anywhere. My worry is the lack of permanent contracts, continuous work and this is a worry that I neglect to pass on. Noone likes a party pooper and because I have my own unanswered questions about this, because I am not quite at the stage of my contract to test the job market out there, it’s something I am not ready to open myself up to. It is however, great for kids to know that there are other ways to use science to help people and have an impact.
Anyway, I will definitely be going into the school as I think it is very important for researchers to answer their public! And to show school kids other options. Research science was something I knew nothing about 12 years ago, it was the stuff of movies (namely Back to theFuture, Jurassic Park and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.)
In other news, I will be going to see Roger Tsein speak so will let you know how that goes. Ali has moved to Germany to start her post-doc which is why she has been off the radar. I’m sure she’ll be updating us soon. I have been in Zambia which made me want to write about science in Africa. This has taken longer to research than expected but hopefully this is what I’ll blog about next. If not, it’ll be my CChem PDP. All thoughts on any of these things, especially the latter, are welcome!
Sarah x
