Online Harassment: a Toolkit for Protecting Yourself from Abuse
Scientists can take practical steps to prevent or pre-empt problems on social media.
Send us a link
Has Peer Review Created a Toxic Culture in Academia?
It is suggested to revamp the peer review process to make it less about tearing down the work of others, and more about helping authors improve their papers.
The digitalisation paradox of everyday scientific labour: How mundane knowledge work is amplified and diversified in the biosciences
The digitalisation paradox of everyday scientific labour: How mundane knowledge work is amplified and diversified in the biosciences
This paper examines how automation and digitalisation influence the way everyday scientific work practices are organised and conducted. Drawing on a practice-based study of the field of synthetic biology, the paper uses ethnographic, interview and survey data to offer a sociomaterial and relational perspective of technological change.
A Values Framework for the Organisation of Research
Science Europe presents a set of shared values that may serve as a reference for the policies and practices implemented by Science Europe Member Organisations (research funding and performing organisations).
To Boost South Korea's Basic Science, Look to Values, Not Just Budgets
To Boost South Korea's Basic Science, Look to Values, Not Just Budgets
The country has been increasing research funding for decades, but its rigid, time-bound approach to research assessment is stifling basic science.
We're Killing Ourselves with Work
Evolution favors less work and more leisure.
The Shifting Sands of 'gain-of-function' Research
The mystery of COVID's origins has reignited a contentious debate about potentially risky studies and the fuzzy terminology that describes them.
Tips for Collaborating with Scientists, from a Philosopher
Make language inclusive and agree on your aims in advance.
How Misconduct Helped Psychological Science to Thrive
How Misconduct Helped Psychological Science to Thrive
Grass-roots action against bad behaviour has spurred reform - and should keep going.
How Should Dora Be Enforced?
Dispute over Liverpool's use of metrics is best resolved through dialogue, says Stephen Curry.
Digital Transformation Requires Cultural Evolution
Turns out, digital transformation is actually more human than technical. Learn more in these case studies from Emerald and De Gruyter.
Embrace and Celebrate Diverse Names in Science
Learning to pronounce others' names doesn't have to be awkward, as long as it comes from a place of mutual respect.
Beware Performative Reproducibility
Well-meant changes to improve science could become empty gestures unless underlying values change.
Research Managers Are Essential to a Healthy Research Culture
But for maximal benefit, more of these academic administrators need to get involved in the scholarly aspect of research.
The End of Reductionism Could Be Nigh. Or Not.
Quantum mechanics seems to have a problem with the order of time, which might signal the need for an entirely new type of law.
A Year After Lockdowns Began, Has Research Got Any Kinder?
Gemma Derrick revisits calls for a better research culture.
Use Micro-Affirmations and Call out Microaggressions to Help Others
By taking positive action, as well as by protecting others from subtle slights, we can foster a better academic culture.
How Two Neuroscientists Built a Mindfulness Class to Improve Students' Well-being
How Two Neuroscientists Built a Mindfulness Class to Improve Students' Well-being
Kevin Boehnke and Richard E. Harris introduced a course in meditation, yoga and mindfulness to the neuroscience programme at their institution.
National Academy May Eject Two Famous Scientists for Sexual Harassment
Astronomer Geoff Marcy and geneticist Francisco Ayala risk losing their spots in prestigious scientific institution.
A Self-Correcting Fallacy - Why Don't Researchers Correct Their Own Errors in the Scientific Record?
A Self-Correcting Fallacy - Why Don't Researchers Correct Their Own Errors in the Scientific Record?
Correcting mistakes and updating findings is often considered to be a key characteristic of scientific research. In practice, self-correction of published research is infrequent, difficult to achieve, and perceived to come with reputational costs.
No, It's Not The Incentives - It's You
Troubling narrative: the mere existence of perverse incentives is a valid and sufficient reason to knowingly behave in an antisocial way, just as long as one first acknowledges the existence of those perverse incentives.
In Search of Outstanding Research Advances: Prototyping the Creation of an Open Dataset of "editorial Highlights"
In Search of Outstanding Research Advances: Prototyping the Creation of an Open Dataset of "editorial Highlights"
Redesign Open Science for Asia, Africa and Latin America
Researchers in many countries need custom-built systems to do robust and transparent science.
COVID-19 Has Profoundly Changed the Way We Conduct and Share Research. Let's Not Return to Business As Usual when the Pandemic is Over!
COVID-19 Has Profoundly Changed the Way We Conduct and Share Research. Let's Not Return to Business As Usual when the Pandemic is Over!
COVID-19 has led to rapid and open sharing of research outputs. But will this new, radically open research communications paradigm result in permanent change?
More Better Science | Clothing the Emperor
More Better Science | Clothing the Emperor
This blog calls for a better scientific quality by pointing to the shortcomings in academia.
University Vs. Research Institute? The Dual Pillars of German Science Production, 1950-2010
University Vs. Research Institute? The Dual Pillars of German Science Production, 1950-2010
The world's third largest producer of scientific research, Germany, is the origin of the research university and the independent, extra-university research institute. Its dual-pillar research policy differentiates these organizational forms functionally: universities specialize in advanced research-based teaching; institutes specialize intensely on research. This article discusses the future utility of the dual-pillar policy.
Fraud, Bias, Negligence and Hype in the Lab - a Rogues' Gallery
Fraud, Bias, Negligence and Hype in the Lab - a Rogues' Gallery
Was there ever a golden age of unsullied science, as a book implies?
How NOT to Be an Academic Asshole During Covid.
Close to half of PhD students are contemplating leaving their studies in the next six months. We need to talk about quitting with kindness and empathy.
There Should Never Be Heroes in Science
Some scientists make their careers by criticising other's research. But who watches the watchmen?
How COVID-19 is Changing Research Culture: An Interview with Daniel Hook, CEO of Digital Science
How COVID-19 is Changing Research Culture: An Interview with Daniel Hook, CEO of Digital Science
In this interview Robert Harington asks Daniel Hook (CEO of Digital Science and co-author of the new Digital Science report. How COVID-19 is Changing Research Culture) about his views on fundamental shifts in research culture as a result of the COVID-19 global pandemic.
×