Author: Brooke Morriswood

Mr Smee finds a home (a riff on preprints, peer review, and undergraduate research)

~ Brooke Morriswood ~ 3 Comments

I don’t usually blog about my actual research, but this week one of my last papers was published, a characterisation of the protein TbSmee1 in the unicellular eukaryotic parasite Trypanosoma brucei (here). “Mr Smee” has had a long and painful genesis, and in many ways the story of this paper is the story of my own research group, and one I definitely plan on telling at a later date. 

For now though, the paper is worth highlighting because I think it illustrates a number of features of contemporary publishing dynamics, peer review, and the importance of frontline research to undergraduates.

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Jess is on a break: the first 30 days

~ Brooke Morriswood ~ Leave a comment
https://jessisonbreak.wordpress.com/2023/08/31/career-break-the-first-30-days/#like-255
Yet another posting from one of the best new blogs I’ve come across. Jess’ descriptions of her slow and often painful departure from academia are honest, unpretentious, thoughtful, and inspiring. There’s no humble-bragging or faked bravado here, just shared thoughts and insights that we’d all do well to listen to.

A salute to the classroom

~ Brooke Morriswood ~ Leave a comment

Jess’ blog about leaving academia is absolutely one of the best new content sources out there at the moment. This is another terrific posting, discussing the unexpected but totally rewarding impact of teaching on an individual scientist’s outlook.

Jess's avatarJess is on Break

On the day I wrote this, I submitted the grades for my last class in the university. Of the many, many things an academic does, I have to say, teaching has been the most fulfilling for me. I have no idea how many are like me, but it definitely brought me joy when students took something from the class. Be it a new skill, a seed of curiosity, or if I’m lucky, a sense of accomplishment. I’m not sure if I’ll be teaching in a classroom again. But if I find myself teaching again, even in a different setting, I’m all for it!

A long time ago, I didn’t think that teaching was ever in the cards for me. And I never imagined that I would actually enjoy it, or even be remotely good at it. I taught for 2 years during my masters, 1 year in between degrees…

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