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Generation R: Forming Open Scientists and Shaping Science Systems

Generation R: Forming Open Scientists and Shaping Science Systems

Generation R is a new editorial platform based on themes, blogposts and learning resources. Its editor, Simon Worthington, answers questions concerning its scope and organization.

How to Retool Graduate STEM Education

How to Retool Graduate STEM Education

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine recently released a report outlining key recommendations for graduate programs and the science enterprise. It highlights the need for employers in all sectors to provide financial support for internships and other types of career experiences to students and recent graduates.

NSF Wants to Know What You Think It Should Fund

NSF Wants to Know What You Think It Should Fund

Got an idea that could transform the world? NSF is launching a new contest offers prizes for "biggest" research ideas. On 31 August NSF will begin accepting online entries for the contest. Anyone can submit an idea - from individual scientists to professional societies to a high school science class.

Global Educational Inequality Fuels the Demand for Open Science

Global Educational Inequality Fuels the Demand for Open Science

Despite the expansion of global Internet coverage and open access journals, research from outside of the United States and Europe is underrepresented.

High Cost of Bias: Diminishing Marginal Returns on NIH Grant Funding to Institutions

High Cost of Bias: Diminishing Marginal Returns on NIH Grant Funding to Institutions

A study suggesting that implicit biases and social prestige mechanisms (e.g., the Matthew effect) have a powerful impact on where NIH grant dollars go and the net return on taxpayers investments. They support evidence-based changes in funding policy geared towards a more equitable, more diverse and more productive distribution of federal support for scientific research.

‘Look happy dear, you’ve just made a discovery’ - Physics World

‘Look happy dear, you’ve just made a discovery’ - Physics World

Sarah Tesh and Jess Wade describe Jocelyn Bell Burnell’s highs and lows, as revealed in her recent IOP President’s Medal lecture.

Peer Review Has Some Problems - but the Science Community Is Working on It

Peer Review Has Some Problems - but the Science Community Is Working on It

Key areas of focus for tweaking peer review include making journal editors more directive in the process, rewarding reviewers, and improving accountability of editors, reviewers and authors.

DOI Restricts Scientists From Attending Scientific Conferences

DOI Restricts Scientists From Attending Scientific Conferences

The Department of Interior (DOI) and two agencies under the DOI have carried out policies that block or restrain federal scientists from attending or presenting at scientific conferences.

Europe's Biggest Research Fund Cracks down on 'Ethics Dumping'

Europe's Biggest Research Fund Cracks down on 'Ethics Dumping'

Horizon 2020: the practice of conducting ethically dubious research in foreign countries is under fresh scrutiny.

Free Access to Research Papers by 2020? "Impossible Without Radical Steps", Says Robert-Jan Smits

Free Access to Research Papers by 2020? "Impossible Without Radical Steps", Says Robert-Jan Smits

"It's not that difficult to flip the system," Smits continued. "The measures we are thinking about are not rocket science - they're straightforward. The main component: if you get a grant in the future, you can only publish in open access journals," he said.

British Universities Fail at Research Integrity Self-Regulation

British Universities Fail at Research Integrity Self-Regulation

One-quarter of surveyed institutions admit to not complying with guidelines.

European Academies Call for a Clear and Inclusive Definition of 'Associated Countries' in Horizon Europe

European Academies Call for a Clear and Inclusive Definition of 'Associated Countries' in Horizon Europe

The European Federation of Academies of Sciences and Humanities (ALLEA) has submitted feedback to the European Parliament with suggestions for concrete amendments to the Proposal for the Regulation establishing Horizon Europe.

"Elsevier Is Trying to Co-Opt the Open Science Space, and We Shouldn't Let Them"

"Elsevier Is Trying to Co-Opt the Open Science Space, and We Shouldn't Let Them"

Involving Elsevier in the European Open Science Monitor is a grave mistake according to palaeontologist Jon Tennant.

In Senate, Research Spending Lined Up for New High

In Senate, Research Spending Lined Up for New High

Under the current slate of legislation, moderate increases would allow agency research dollars to continue their recent growth.

Science Journals End Open-Access Trial with Gates Foundation

Science Journals End Open-Access Trial with Gates Foundation

A pilot experiment has seen 26 papers published under open-access terms so far and should yield a report by the end of the year.

Germany's Prestigious Max Planck Society Investigates New Allegations of Abuse

Germany's Prestigious Max Planck Society Investigates New Allegations of Abuse

Anonymous survey of young scientists reveals fresh accusations of bullying and harassment at astrophysics institute.

Understanding Open Knowledge in China: A Chinese Approach to Openness?

Understanding Open Knowledge in China: A Chinese Approach to Openness?

This paper examines the development of open knowledge in China through two case studies: the development of Chinese open access (OA) journals, and national-level OA repositories.

Chinese Researchers to Get More Autonomy over Lab Spending

Chinese Researchers to Get More Autonomy over Lab Spending

Revised rules are designed to help researchers focus on their work and compete with their counterparts globally.

Unpersuasive: Why Arguing About Climate Change Often Doesn't Work

Unpersuasive: Why Arguing About Climate Change Often Doesn't Work

In the US, where political parties have increasingly staked claims on one side of the issue or the other, beliefs may be more about belonging than facts.

Wellcome Trust Launches $330M Initiative to Fund High-Risk Life Sciences Projects

Wellcome Trust Launches $330M Initiative to Fund High-Risk Life Sciences Projects

One of the world’s largest biomedical research charities is setting up a new initiative to fund outside-the-box science.

Preprints in Europe PMC: Reducing Friction for Discoverability

Preprints in Europe PMC: Reducing Friction for Discoverability

From July 2018, the Europe PMC repository will start indexing preprints.