British and Australian scientists compile a list of tips to help policy makers better understand the 'imperfect nature of science'

Crowdfunding has energised public and private sectors, says Didier Schmitt – could it reconnect science and society too?

Early career researchers need to learn how policy is made and assessed to encourage more joined-up thinking in science.

Universities and academics cannot live without the Research Excellence Framework, but we need to go back to a simpler form of measurement, argues Peter Scott

Science communication should be more than the dissemination of results to the public; it should also flow in the other direction, with members of the public able to communicate their priorities to scientists and those who fund them. But how?

Peer review is one of the oldest and most respected instruments of quality control in science and research. Peer review means that a paper is evaluated by a number of experts on the topic of the article (the peers). The criteria may vary, but most of the time they include methodological and technical soundness, scientific relevance, and presentation.

Many of the biggest problems in science are tackled through sustained efforts over years or decades. But if science is a long-term endeavour, why are funding and careers so fixated on the now? Guest post by Andrew Holding.

Open access to research is still held back by misunderstandings repeated by people who should know better, says Peter Suber.

An open-source approach to the problem of producing an off-patent drug in enantiopure form serves as an example of how academic and industrial researchers can join forces to make new scientific discoveries that could have a huge impact on human health.

Scientists like to think of science as self-correcting. To an alarming degree, it is not

Public engagement should be an integral part of research, not an unpaid hobby, which is why the Wellcome Trust has decided to invest £4.5m a year in it.

Social science may be faring better politically in UK than US, says Ziyad Marar.