Science Mis-communication?

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

A Nobel Cause

I could aim to get my own series on BBC 2 (watching and learning Coxy) or my own snazzy radio show (I am loving Material World on Radio 4, Thursdays, 16.30) but why aim so small? I want the respect and favourable notoriety of no less than a Nobel Prize. I want scientists screaming for me and holding their ears, throwing their GSK solvent impurities table at me to autograph...
It’s not the 10 million Swedish Krona that attracts me, nor the personal diploma and not even the bling of the medal: it’s that I have fulfilled the requirements to be awarded the honour. The Nobel Prize for Chemistry is awarded for ‘the most important chemical discovery or improvement.’

Now as an early career researcher, I think it would be rather nano-minded of me to think that I was working on the most important chemical discovery/improvement (well, I’d be stupid to say it out loud) so I need to work on how to fast track myself to getting my nitrile gloved hands on the prize. After a little bit of research, I have made a short list of how to improve my chances.
• Get involved with a group of people that are within sniffing distance of the most important chemical discovery or improvement but only if that group has a total of two people in it. A Nobel Prize cannot be awarded to more than 3 people. Must still be nice to get an acknowledgment though, eh Rosalind?
• Must stay alive, at least until you been notified of your award.
• Must get more manly. This could be tricky but only 4 women have won the award for Chemistry so need to get those odds up.
• Must get more American. I have more chance of getting manly; my New Yoik accent is not great.
• A middle initial seems to help. I gave myself one of these on publishing, to make my rather common name slightly less common.

I have went from Sarah and become Sarah D. Behold the difference.

Roger Y. Tsein, American, Nobel Prize winner 2008, is giving a talk in Edinburgh as part of the Faraday Discussion 149 conference in September. Perhaps I will go and be inspired. Must pack sharpie and solvent impurities table, just in case.

What's new pussy cat?

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/jun/25/oscar-cat-artifical-paws-pioneering-surgery

I read this article and just marvelled at the wonder of science, medicine, engineering. The cat might look slightly like something out of Terminator 2 but I just love how they called this article 'Kitten Heels'.


Sarah

"If we knew what we were doing, it wouldn't be called research, would it?"

Much and many developments in the life of this science girl and I will divulge them in somewhat chaotic order, with the only common thread that is me....
• Paper trail: I submitted a paper recently-ish. This was based on work that I completed in my PhD and every word I wrote myself. The real learning curve was trying to put it in paper format and submit it. On rejection (sniff, sniff but no real surprise), I had to reformat it for another paper. Piece of cake, I thought. An old hand at it now, I scoffed. Yet another ruddy rigmarole was the reality. Why is it so hard? Why are there so many rules? Why if I downloaded one template, does my laptop become fiercely loyal and refuse to work with others. Anyway, watch this space to see if it gets published.
• Career Development Course: As mentioned in networking instalment of blog, I went to a course which wasn’t right for me but I did see it helping other people that had turned up. I met a career advisor who had come to observe the course. I spoke to her about my lack of experience working outside of UK, outside of Glasgow! She told me about exchanges funded through the Royal Society of Edinburgh (these have established links with existing universities) and the Royal Society-links have been added. I am very lucky to have a supervisor that gives my ideas consideration and is supportive of my proposed secondment. I am now making a list of people that I would like to work with, or a skill I would like to learn.
• Knowledge Exchange: Today I am off to find out about becoming a project champion for technology that has been patented by the university. The government, as spoken about in last blog, wants universities to commercialise more of its technology and has allocated money to train up post-docs to help with this. It does sound like a great opportunity for me and my C.V.-I will be learning parts of the masters in business, will be networking, learn more about I.P. etc. I am just worried that I am taking on too much! Will go along today and take it from there.
• Serendipity: Don’t you just love it when things work and you don’t know why, you don’t know how and ultimately you don’t really care. Due to some random boiling water I had on the go, I managed to make the compound I have been in a rut with for months. Delighted. Now writing paper.
• Oh! I’m going to Hawaii: Abstract got accepted for Pacific Chem 2010. Hawaii here I come...if I can figure out how to book it all and pay. Ruddy Hawaii-YAAAAAASSSSS!!!!
• Global Poverty Project: A friend of mine studied economic development and hosted a presentation called 1.4 billion reasons. This had a profound effect on me and it wasn’t all happy clappy, wasn’t pictures of people dying of starvation, wasn’t a plea for money. I don’t want to give too much away but maybe encourage you to have a look: http://globalpovertyproject.com/. Yet again, I spoke to my boss this time about the possibility of me taking unpaid leave to do something to contribute to the fight against poverty and yet again, my super boss said yes! Having being given the gift of time, I need to think about using this wisely.
Updates will follow on all of the above!
Sarah

writingwritingwriting

oh my god, today is one of those days when everyone is conspiring against you to make you think your phd is rubbish and you are totally thick. what are everyones suggestions for chilling out after a long day writing?

XXXXX

Synthetic life

Synthetic life? An oxymoron that is now a reality.
Wouldn't be a good science girl if this got left unnoticed. Read about the research in science:
doi:10.1126/science.1190719 (2010)

The guardian have posted a video interview with Craig Venter: www.guardian.co.uk/science/video/2010/may/20/craig-venter-new-life-form

Nature have asked 8 experts their thoughts on this discovery:
www.nature.com/news/2010/100520/full/news.2010.255.html


I'll share my thoughts later!

Sarah

Oi, REF!

The Research Excellence Framework (REF) is the system that evaluates the quality of research ongoing in UK higher education institutions. The REF is the replacement for the RAE, the major difference being that ‘impact’ will contribute up to 25% of this grading. The addition of impact has been controversial as it is not clearly defined how this will be measured. Due to this the new Tory government has said it will put the REF on hold (it is due to go ahead in 2012).

The assessment of research output, research environment and indicators of esteem determine the rating of the institution and ultimately funding. Universities put forward 'research active staff' (an area itself of controversy and defined by the universities themselves) as part of this assessment.


Although I understand that some method of allocating funding does need to exist, I am not sure how well the impact of this assessment sits with me and how it will shape the path I take as an early career researcher. This process of assessment has been heavily criticised being deemed responsible for job losses, demoralisation, the undermining of teaching/ research relationship... One problem is that due to this new pseudo-corporate structure, university departments that do not have the same facilities as a more established department will be subject to a lower rating, struggle to attract researchers, struggle to make impact and overall, receive less funding.

The government is reluctant to spend money on research that does not have an economic impact. Of course, it is perfectly understandable that the government want to know what they are putting their/ our money into. Yet research that has a demonstrable economic goal will be lapped up by the private sector and this approach may also quash the serendipitous results that have been the muscles of research impact. Is this method of assessment also killing off curiosity? Frankie Boyle joked about scientists investigating how many fruit pastilles it took to choke a kestrel but academic freedoms are being limited. Research that may not give us any economic payback but further our understanding may become redundant. My romantic view of universities and research is slowly dwindling, maybe I'm just growing up? I hope not.

I do have sympathy for the arts and humanities. Science and engineering can prove themselves a lot easier in this system (We will cure bunions vs we will give you a history of them.) As much as I voice my fears and concerns, I struggle to offer a good solution that satisfies all.There is much more and many other issues to discuss with this subject.

We need to give our academics more credit, however, and not think the end is completely nigh. I have never known a research budget to go strictly to its grant proposal and this trick of juggling funding has been the means of a lot of successful research.