Cambridge, UK and Cambridge, MA. Two cities twinned in scientific excellence as well as name. The banks of the Cam have nurtured the likes of Darwin, Kelvin, Newton and Rutherford, while the institutions north of the Charles River — Harvard and MIT — are modern intellectual powerhouses.

Lest I sound like some kind of scientific holiday brochure (now that’s an idea), I do have a reason for these musings. Over on Nature Network Boston, Prof Shuguang Zhang writes about his experiences working in the two Cambridges. After 19 years at MIT, he recently tried a six month spell over the pond as a Guggenheim fellow.

He notes major differences between the two cultures. In the UK, for example, researchers tend to think first (often over a cup of tea) and do later. In MA, the norm would be hasty, initial experiments as soon as the nugget of an idea forms.

So have a read and see whether you agree. I’d be particularly interested to hear the experiences of anyone who has done the reverse trip. It might make a nice companion article.

Bonus points to anyone who’s ever done science in London, Ontario.