Monthly Archives: April 2019

Life lessons learned–from others’ mistakes…

Posted on 27 April 2019 by Steve Caplan

I did not enjoy my service in the Israeli military between 1983-1986; in fact, I hated it. But I do know that it taught me many lessons, and I have long thought that my experiences in the army have helped … Continue reading →

Posted in army, electrophoresis, IDF, mistakes, Research, science, soldier | Comments Off on Life lessons learned–from others’ mistakes…

How far should students go in striving for professionalism?

Posted on 23 April 2019 by Steve Caplan

What is the beginning of eternity and the end of time? Sometimes the simplest answer is actually the right one: in this case, the letter “e.” Having served as chair of my departmental graduate and admissions committee, professionalism is an … Continue reading →

Posted in dissertation, education, jobs, PhD, professionalism, Research, science, seminars, students | Comments Off on How far should students go in striving for professionalism?

My blue heaven

Posted on 22 April 2019 by rpg

Wordsworth lost it when he saw fields of daffodils. I wonder what he thought of bluebells. It’s been a busy 2 weeks—a long-awaited holiday from work, with my birthday in the middle. Staycations around here always end up with a … Continue reading →

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In which I run aground

Posted on 18 April 2019 by Jennifer Rohn

It’s been a long winter, and the past academic term seemed to stretch on forever, a blur of stress and deadlines punctuated by good news and bad. My lab got another paper accepted, and my outline-stage grant was shortlisted. But … Continue reading →

Posted in academia, Domestic bliss, Gardening, Science Funding, staring into the abyss, The ageing process, work-life balance | Comments Off on In which I run aground

Getting Away from the Toxic Lab

Posted on 14 April 2019 by Athene Donald

The journal PLoS Computational Biology recently published an article Ten simple rules towards healthier research labs. Written by a PI it was obviously aimed largely at those who might be just setting out with their own groups, but clearly any … Continue reading →

Posted in CV, group leader, mentors, Research, Science Culture, support | Comments Off on Getting Away from the Toxic Lab

How to value what cannot be measured?

Posted on 10 April 2019 by Stephen

The post below is a transcript of my opening remarks at the a Great Debate held earlier today at the European Geosciences Union 2019 meeting in Vienna. The debate asked us to consider the question: What value should we place on … Continue reading →

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In which we find out how

Posted on 9 April 2019 by Jennifer Rohn

Science in your pyjamas: bliss What’s the youngest a person can be exposed to science in a meaningful way? Loyal readers will know that I’ve pondered this question before, especially since becoming a mother. The other day a colleague told … Continue reading →

Posted in Domestic bliss, Joshua, Scientific thinking, students, Teaching | Comments Off on In which we find out how

On Project Leadership

Posted on 9 April 2019 by Nicola Spaldin

While history is likely to associate March 2017 with the United Kingdom declaring Article 50, it also marked a more constructive event: The launch of the ETH Materials Department “Materials Scientist 2030, Who is She?” project. Here, two years in, … Continue reading →

Posted in education, Materials Science | Comments Off on On Project Leadership

Student Feedback

Posted on 7 April 2019 by Nicola Spaldin

After a few weeks of consolidating and tidying up the ideas generated during the retreat, the project team managed to converge a reasonably coherent curriculum structure, and decided that the next step was to run it past our current students … Continue reading →

Posted in education, Materials Science | Comments Off on Student Feedback

Does Leadership Need to be More Touchy-Feely?

Posted on 7 April 2019 by Athene Donald

If our sector is to see more minorities rise through the ranks to positions of power, indeed if any sector is to achieve this and go on, for instance, to remove the typical gender pay gap, then inclusive leadership needs … Continue reading →

Posted in Equality, group leader, humble, inclusivity, minorities, PhD students, Science Culture | Comments Off on Does Leadership Need to be More Touchy-Feely?