Monthly Archives: August 2011

Advice on taking advice

Posted on 20 August 2011 by Steve Caplan

Last week I pontificated wrote about my views on the traits that are necessary for a scientist to survive and indeed thrive in today’s world. And while there seems to be agreement that “luck” “fate” and “opportunity” are certainly useful … Continue reading →

Posted in advice, critiques, education, faculty, fate, journals, learn, luck, mentor, mentors, opportunity, papers, PI, post-doc, post-docs, Research, reviews, science, student, students, success | Comments Off on Advice on taking advice

Graubunden

Posted on 19 August 2011 by Henry Gee

As you both no doubt know, part of my job as an editor at Your Favourite Weekly Etcetera is to travel round the place doing my stand up routine talk about how we editors handle papers, demystifying the editorial life … Continue reading →

Posted in language, Lombard, one of our alpenhorns is missing, Romansch, Science Is Vital, Writing & Reading, Zurich | Comments Off on Graubunden

SNAFU

Posted on 18 August 2011 by Cath@VWXYNot?

Posted without comment Note URL…

Posted in grant wrangling, Silliness, technology | Comments Off on SNAFU

Sir Charles Harington (1897-1972)

Posted on 17 August 2011 by Frank Norman

I have been working for a few weeks to put together some posters for a small internal exhibition about Charles Harington, one of our past directors.  I hope it might be of interest to a wider audience, so I have … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Research Councils, Research management | Comments Off on Sir Charles Harington (1897-1972)

On keeping a good notebook

Posted on 17 August 2011 by rpg

(Lazy cross-post time: also at Naturally Selected) One of the first and most important things a neophyte scientist learns–or at least, is taught–is the importance of keeping a comprehensive and accurate record. We all know it’s a good thing, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Ethics, science | Comments Off on On keeping a good notebook

Serendipity luckydippery

Posted on 17 August 2011 by Frank Norman

Sri Lanka is a beautiful country, with tropical beaches, lush hill country, tea plantations, spice gardens and a fiery cuisine.  The Arabic name for the island was Serendib, “from the Sanskrit Simhaladvipa which literally translates to “Dwelling-Place-of-Lions Island”  (thankyou, Wikipedia). … Continue reading →

Posted in History | Comments Off on Serendipity luckydippery

A momentary lapse of reason—Chapter Three

Posted on 17 August 2011 by rpg

Chapter Two The Party Ah, these silly English men, Sabine thought as she drove down Long Road. They are so easily amused; it really wasn’t work at all. All she ever had to do was smile at them and they … Continue reading →

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Information

Posted on 16 August 2011 by Henry Gee

It might come as a surprise to you both that I have a page on Wikipedia. I didn’t create this page. Nobody told me it was being created, nor did they ask me for any input. They could have had … Continue reading →

Posted in benveniste affair, chthonic, data entry at the OK corral, jeremiad, john madox, malfeasance, release of calcium from intracellular stores, Research, seven transmembrane helix G-protein coupled receptors, unknown, wikipedia, Writing & Reading | Comments Off on Information

Funders get Tough

Posted on 16 August 2011 by Athene Donald

This post is not, as UK readers might think from the title, a tirade about one of our Research Councils’ shortsightedness.  On the contrary, it is a plaudit for a UK ministry, who are showing admirable steel on behalf of … Continue reading →

Posted in Athena Swan, Department of Health, Equality, Research, research funding, Science Funding, Women in science | Comments Off on Funders get Tough

It Has Not Escaped Our Notice #92

Posted on 16 August 2011 by Henry Gee

I have been all but submerged by this contribution from a Mr P. R. of Westminster. Sometimes a picture is worth a thousand words. There is something elegiac, almost melancholic here – a statement of frustration, futility and even impotent … Continue reading →

Posted in extinction beckons, Silliness | Comments Off on It Has Not Escaped Our Notice #92