Adversarial interactions in the sciences can be grouped into two categories: competition between models*, and competition between labs. One is a stimulant and a spur to good science; the other a recipe for rancour and often a handicap to scientific progress. Continue reading
Regular readers of TIR may have noticed that there’s been a change in the visuals of late. Besides my own rather staid photography, there’s been an increasing number of contributions from the marvellous Oliver Hoeller, a scientist and freelance illustrator. I’m now delighted to announce that Oliver is officially joining TIR as its “artist in residence”. A short bio and links to some of his other work can now be found in the “Artwork” tab at the top of the page.
In conversation, it’s not unusual for people to baulk when you tell them you’re a scientist. “Oh, I wouldn’t understand any of that” is a line I’ve heard over and over again. “Rubbish!” is my preferred response. “It’s just like cooking – but with tiny volumes!” Continue reading
It’s an unacknowledged truth that scientific English is a distinct dialect. But who should be regarded as its architect? Continue reading
The most important equilibrium in research isn’t chemical, it’s psychological. It’s the one that governs the oscillation between confidence and doubt. Continue reading
Attention all postdocs in Austria!
TIR will be giving the keynote presentation at the very first Postdoc Forum on October 15th, 2016. Full details, as well as the link for registration, can be found HERE (also on the Facebook page HERE).
The forum is being organised by the Vienna Postdoc Think Tank, a new collective aimed at discussing and improving postdoc career options. So if you’re based in Austria and interested in being part of the dialogue about how science should be structured, come along! (it’s free)
Total Internal Reflection 