ScienceGeist

The efforts of young researchers to fight the perverse incentives that dominate science right now are all the more impressive because these scientists are at the most vulnerable point of their careers.

Around the globe, there are initiatives and organizations devoted to bring "Open Access" to the world, i.e., the public availability of scholarly research works, free of charge. However, the current debate seems to largely miss the point.

This article outlines the four principles that give shape to a new, less standardised approach to research assessment called "evaluative inquiry": employing versatile methods; shifting the contextual focus away from the individual; knowledge diplomacy; and favouring ongoing engagement ahead of open-and-shut reporting.

Theoretical physicists who say the multiverse exists set a dangerous precedent: science based on zero empirical evidence.

Publishers, reviewers and other members of the scientific community must fight science's preference for positive results - for the benefit of all.

Robert Harington suggests that despite the critical role of scholarly societies in publishing and academia, the sad reality is it is the big corporate publishers who win.

In this interview, Aileen Fyfe, professor of modern history at the University of St. Andrews, shares an abridged history of journal publishing at scholarly societies and her thoughts on how scholarly publishing's past can influence its present.

Opinion piece examining a study that found that the correlation between student evaluations and quality of learning is negative.

The metaphor can have an especially negative impact on women and underrepresented groups, argues Wendy L. Hill.

Marking the launch of a new research on research institute, James Wilsdon reflects on the challenges of making good research and development policy. One surprising thread of continuity between Boris Johnson’s government and that of Theresa May, is its enthusiasm for research and innovation.

There are more university comparisons than ever before, but some argue there is little reliable or actionable information to be gleaned from them.

When reading a research paper, can you be certain that the institution the author claims to be affiliated with is actually the institution that was responsible for supporting the research?

We are in the middle of a climate breakdown, and all they can talk about is money and fairytales of eternal economic growth, says climate activist Greta Thunberg.

The extent to which researchers can assess the impact of their public engagement is often under-analysed and limited to success stories. Drawing on the example of development aid, it is argued that we need to widen the parameters for assessing public engagement.

One graduate student explains the importance of the global climate strike.

Continuing our celebration of Peer Review Week 2019, today Alice Meadows interviews Tracey Brown, OBE, Director of Sense about Science, which has been involved in Peer Review Week from the start.

Every five minutes or so, someone tries to come up with a cost-per-article figure for academic publishing. Martin Paul Eve explains why he finds himself wanting to resist the temptation.

Alice Meadows and Karin Wulf kick off the fifth annual Peer Review Week with their thoughts on defining quality in peer review principles and practices.

Researchers should learn to travel better to mitigate their climate impacts. Institutions can help by facilitating and rewarding sustainable travel behaviour, rather than fuelling the pressure to attend conferences, say Olivier Hamant, Timothy Saunders and Virgile Viasnoff.

EU-backed research projects were slashed after Switzerland voted to curb immigration. The UK should take note.

What happened when Jeffrey Epstein funded science and tech? Women were excluded.

"My family didn't understand the internship process or why I wasn’t getting paid yet. That causes some psychological distress."

The financial strain of having a baby during her Ph.D. put this researcher's career in jeopardy.

A personal account from climate scientist to climate activist, and motivation to join a climate action on Sept 20, 2019: the Global Climate Strike.

Our profession has been great at raising awareness. But this alone won't succeed against the might of the oil and gas lobbyists.

We face interconnected planetary emergencies threatening our climate and ecosystems. Scientists should join civil disobedience movements to fight these unprecedented crises.

Implicit bias - the presence of prejudices and stereotypes in the workplace - has been a topic of discussion both within and outside academia. Does this lead to a focus on the individual that masks embedded structures inhibiting gender equality?

With Europe facing significant challenges over the next decade, it is vital that the EU's research activities are designed not just by bureaucrats but by a wide range of voices to ensure that they're fit for purpose, according to Jean-Eric Paquet, the European Commission's Director General for Research and Innovation.

With the climate crisis as backdrop, university employees have demanded a reduction in air travel. Could cutting air travel also lead to greater gender equality?

Sixty percent of 16 to 24 years olds - people raised surrounded by technology - are overwhelmed by data they must read and analyze.