Randomisation Can Resolve the Uncertainty at the Heart of Peer Review
Randomisation Can Resolve the Uncertainty at the Heart of Peer Review
Embracing uncertainty could improve peer review processes.
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The Value of REF Beyond Academia - From Research to Development Impact
The Research Excellence Framework is primarily a mechanism for assessing the quality of research and allocating research funding. However, REF outputs and in particularly impact case studies hold value for many actors outside of higher education institutions.
A Day in the Life of the World's Fastest Supercomputer
In the hills of eastern Tennessee, a record-breaking machine called Frontier is providing scientists with unprecedented opportunities to study everything from atoms to galaxies.
Publishing Nightmare: A Researcher's Quest to Keep His Own Work from Being Plagiarized
Publishing Nightmare: A Researcher's Quest to Keep His Own Work from Being Plagiarized
A scientist reviewing a study spotted figures that looked identical to his own, leading to a frustrating campaign to prevent its publication.
Indian knowledge
To distance its science education systems from centurieslong British colonialism, India is leaning into its history and traditions—but at what cost?
Inside China's Race to Lead the World in Nuclear Fusion
The country has ambitious plans for fusion power plants to provide clean, limitless energy. Can they be realized?
How Far Can We Assess the Societal Impact of Open Science?
Drawing on a review of the published research into the societal impact of open science, Nicki Lisa Cole and colleagues find considerable evidence for the benefits of citizen science, but a much thinner evidence base for the impact of other aspects of open science. Their findings suggest that there is a greater need to consider how these impacts are monitored, and an opportunity to address open science as an inclusive practice, rather than simply a method of opening scientific outputs.
China's Big-Science Bet
With a view to increase its prestige and influence in global science, the country is investing heavily in major facilities.
Processing Horizon Europe Grants is Taking 23 Days Longer Than Horizon 2020
Horizon Europe is in its third year, and nearing the halfway point, analysis of how the programme is progressing is beginning to roll in.
Harris Vs. Project 2025: Competing Science Visions
Harris and Project 2025 present contrasting visions for U.S. science policy and research priorities. Get the breakdown on how they differ.
Cash for Catching Scientific Errors
The ERROR project offers researchers a bounty for spotting mistakes in published papers - a strategy borrowed from the software industry.
'There's a Lot of Privilege Masquerading As Merit': Why Inclusion Matters in Academia
Frankie Heyward explains why he founded the National Black Postdoctoral Association, and why researchers must honestly evaluate their privilege.
How to Win Funding to Talk About Your Science
Many researchers describe public outreach as a labour of love, often carried out in their spare time. But some funders reward these activities.
Remapping Science - Researchers Reckon with a Colonial Legacy
The scientific enterprise both fueled, and was fueled by, the colonial one. Today, the smudged fingerprints of colonization still linger on the scientific enterprise.
Scientists Uncover Ancient Origin of Cultural and Linguistic Networks of Central African Hunter-Gatherers
Scientists Uncover Ancient Origin of Cultural and Linguistic Networks of Central African Hunter-Gatherers
Extensive social networks among different hunter-gatherer groups in the Congo Basin existed long before the advent of agriculture in the region. This continent-wide exchange helped preserve a rich cultural diversity that evolved over thousands of years, as demonstrated by researchers from the Univer
University of Kansas Study Explores the Transformation of Educational System with the Advent of Artificial Intelligence
University of Kansas Study Explores the Transformation of Educational System with the Advent of Artificial Intelligence
Schools are increasingly adopting artificial intelligence (AI) tools in piecemeal fashion. AI has, however, disrupted traditional job markets, and schooling needs to adapt more radically to prepare students for the challenges of the modern age. By studying the challenges and opportunities that emerged with the advent of AI, new research suggests that schools need to change traditional practices, with an improved focus on personalized and project-based learning.
Science should save all, not just some
Discussions around global equity and justice in science typically emphasize the lack of diversity in the editorial boards of scientific journals, inequities in authorship, “parachute research,” dominance of the English language, or scientific awards garnered predominantly by Global North scientists. These inequities are pervasive and must be redressed. But there is a bigger problem. The legacy of colonialism in scientific research includes an intellectual property system that favors Global North countries and the big corporations they support. This unfairness shows up in who gets access to the fruits of science and raises the question of who science is designed to serve or save.
Supporting Scientific Citizens
Successful science and technology development and deployment requires not only scientists and engineers, but also informed, engaged publics.
Africa’s New Force in Genomics
With vision and force of personality, Christian Happi built a world-class genomics center so Africans can help Africa.
How Easy Is It to Fudge Your Scientific Rank? Meet Larry, the World’s Most Cited Cat
How Easy Is It to Fudge Your Scientific Rank? Meet Larry, the World’s Most Cited Cat
“Exercise in absurdity” reveals flaws in Google Scholar’s productivity metrics
Being a Scientist: Cobain, Hemingway, Sinatra and Me
A postdoc explains how being medicated for bipolar changed her life and the way she conducts research.
Unleashing Synergy or Accelerating Fragmentation?
South Korea's bold shift toward international science and technology collaboration requires transforming its current research system.
How to Spot a Predatory Conference, and What Science Needs to Do About Them: a Guide
How to Spot a Predatory Conference, and What Science Needs to Do About Them: a Guide
Researchers who have fallen prey to predatory conferences share the tell-tale signs of a dud event.
So You Got a Null Result. Will Anyone Publish It?
Researchers have tried a bunch of strategies to get more negative results into the literature. Nature asks whether they are working.
Inside Germany's Sprind Innovation Agency, the Anti-Horizon Europe
About a 15-minute walk from Leipzig's main train station, past office blocks, hardware stores and garden centres, sits a former railway logistics building near the end of a dilapidated road in a warren of tired-looking warehouses. As you approach, there's little to suggest that it contains Germany's great hope for re-invigorating its economy.
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