Author Archives: Sylvia McLain

About Sylvia McLain

Girl, Interrupting aka Dr. Sylvia McLain used to be an academic, but now is trying to figure out what's next. She is also a proto-science writer, armchair philosopher, amateur plumber and wanna-be film-critic. You can follow her on Twitter @DrSylviaMcLain and Instagram @sylviaellenmclain

Scientists need to ask ‘important’ questions – oh and stop “whingeing”

Posted on 18 February 2011 by Sylvia McLain

Scientists need to ask ‘important’ questions – oh and stop “whingeing” Science question time on Feb 16th – put on by the Biochemical Society, CaSE (Campaign for Science and Engineering) and the good folks from Imperial College was, I thought, … Continue reading →

Posted in Mark Walport, Science Question Time, SciQT, UK Science policy | Comments Off on Scientists need to ask ‘important’ questions – oh and stop “whingeing”

On becoming (naturalised, half) British

Posted on 13 February 2011 by Sylvia McLain

I am undertaking ‘a journey to citizenship’ and happily (thankfully) I just passed the test and can apply for citizenship soon. Fortunately I can be a US/UK citizen; the UK isn’t particularly concerned with dual citizenships and the US wants … Continue reading →

Posted in America, Britain, dual citizenship | Comments Off on On becoming (naturalised, half) British

On becoming (naturalised, half) British

Posted on 13 February 2011 by Sylvia McLain

I am undertaking ‘a journey to citizenship’ and happily (thankfully) I just passed the test and can apply for citizenship soon. Fortunately I can be a US/UK citizen; the UK isn’t particularly concerned with dual citizenships and the US wants … Continue reading →

Posted in Britain, Guest posts | Comments Off on On becoming (naturalised, half) British

Peer-review – I am beatin’ that horse until it dies!

Posted on 27 January 2011 by Sylvia McLain

I just published another post on peer review in response to Cameron Neylon’s post about peer-review here . Specifically I didn’t like his example in the post as I don’t think its a good allegory for peer-review. But to spare … Continue reading →

Posted in Guest posts, peer review | Comments Off on Peer-review – I am beatin’ that horse until it dies!

Peer review – a bad example

Posted on 27 January 2011 by Sylvia McLain

Cameron Neylon has published one of 2 posts defending his opinion of peer-review – standing by the quote ‘it makes more sense in fact to publish everything and filter after the fact’ though he admits this is somewhat of an … Continue reading →

Posted in peer review | Comments Off on Peer review – a bad example

Peer review here we go again

Posted on 22 January 2011 by Sylvia McLain

Once again the peer-review vs. science online debate appears! In an article by Peer review: Trial by Twitter – Apoorva Mandavilli talks about a lot of things but it mentions that science is getting ‘torn apart’ in the online media… … Continue reading →

Posted in peer review, peer review science, Trial by Twitter | Comments Off on Peer review here we go again

Peer-review here we go again …

Posted on 22 January 2011 by Sylvia McLain

Once again the peer-review vs. science online debate appears! In an article by Peer review: Trial by Twitter – Apoorva Mandavilli talks about a lot of things but it mentions that science is getting ‘torn apart’ in the online media… … Continue reading →

Posted in Guest posts, peer review | Comments Off on Peer-review here we go again …