This weekly Nautilus column highlights some of the online discussion at Nature Network in the preceding week that is of relevance to scientists as authors and communicators.
The Nature Network week column is archived here.
Should industry be allowed to compete with academics for research funding? Branwen Hide draws attention to a suggestion along these lines made by the chairman of one of the UK research councils at the councils’ ‘future visions’ meeting. A discussion follows on modes of research funding, including data sharing and mandates about access to the literature, which might provide some impediments to applications from industry, and collaborative networks between academia and industry, which provide one alternative.
Direct interactions between scientists and the public are discussed by Katherine Haxton and others at Katherine’s blog (Endless Possibilities v 2.0). “Is there something about being a scientist that means we are obliged to deal with public misconceptions of science? Should we be rising up and defeating all examples of bad science or pseudoscience in the media, on tv or in the newspapers?”, she asks. Take a look at her post and some of the responses for whether, why and how scientists should undertake these and other “outreach” activities. An opportunity is provided on the same blog, where you can find out about the May version of the Scientiae blog carnival, and contribute. If you aren’t sure what a blog carnival is, see Bob O’Hara’s post for an example: Scientia Pro Publica.
A librarian’s perspective on access to the literature is provided by Frank Norman, who provides an instructive account of the complications that can happen for site-licence holders (in this case, academic institutions) and their users (scientists and other staff) when large, previously separate publishers merge operations.
For “early-career researchers” based in the UK, here’s an opportunity: "perspectives, “a poster session with a difference, is a chance for you to discuss your research with a non-specialist audience”. Nigel Eady provides more details of an interactive training day to about poster design and communication skills. The application deadline is 8 May. Posters can be presented at the British Science Festival in September, and there are prizes for those judged to be the best.
On the other side of the Atlantic, Corie Lok notes that the Cambridge Science Festival starts tomorrow, Saturday 25 April. Corie writes that “the festival is geared primarily towards members of the general public, especially kids and families to spark young people’s interest in science. However, this year, they made the events listing sortable by age range, so here’s my pick of the more interesting adult-oriented events.” See her post for the highlights, from this Sunday’s talk on Darwin, artificial intelligence and creativity to a discussion of the science of baseball on 3 May, as well as for a link to the full programme. Moving from the United States to Canada, Eva Amsen notes that ScienceBarCamp Toronto begins on 9 May. Let Eva know at her post if you are interested in attending or contributing.
Further science-related blog reading and online discussion can be enjoyed at: