Through my own career transition from academic research into science policy, I have realized the importance of universities supporting the next generation of scientists. Over the years, I have written several articles on the needs of early-career scientists during training, professional development and career progression both within and outside academe. In this essay, I want … Read more
We may hear about parts per million (ppm) of methane, or carbon dioxide, or some other component in our environment but how can we relate to this? What does it mean? It does not sound like much in quantity; but its impacts may be anything but. One way to try and get a handle on … Read more
In the 1930s, thousands of scientists lost their jobs in Germany merely for being Jewish or opposing the Nazi regime. For Germany, however, this proved a spectacular own goal. Adolf Hitler declared that he would rid Jewish universities even if it meant “the annihilation of contemporary German science”. As it turned out, this was what … Read more
At the recent US Supreme Court confirmation hearings for Ketanji Brown Jackson, Sen. Marsha Blackburn triggered controversy when she asked Jackson to define the word “woman.” After Jackson declined, several Republican congresspeople chimed in with definitions for “woman” that ranged from dubious to shocking, including “the weaker sex,” “someone who has a uterus,” and “X … Read more
When the COVID-19 pandemic began in 2020, researchers announced they had created the first living robot. These so-called “xenobots” are programmable organisms created from the stem cells of African clawed frog embryos – or Xenopus laevis. Just two years later, researchers announced that xenobots were spontaneously reproducing. This shocking and concerning news was not widely … Read more
It’s not every day that a school science class involves a trip to the beach. Instead of sunbathing or swimming, teenagers in the north of Portugal were invited to learn some chemistry while exploring their local coastlines. José Luís Araújo, a junior researcher at the University of Porto, worked with colleagues to develop the ‘Perceiving … Read more
Harvard University in Cambridge, Mass. Photo: Elise Amendola / Associated Press Where can one turn for science reporting that has not become politicized? It’s a difficult question to answer when examining establishment academic journals. But a few events this week have this column wondering if a resurgence of rigor might just be underway. On Tuesday … Read more
Credit: Alyssa Stone / Northeastern University. As the implications of a draft Supreme Court decision that would overturn the landmark abortion-rights cases Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood of Southeastern Pa. v. Casey reverberated around the United States — and around the world — one question that remains is: Who leaked the document? Indeed, it … Read more
Photo: Getty Images The best economics lesson I ever learned came from a science teacher. Mr. Seaver was a barrel-chested guy with a foghorn voice. My junior-high locker was directly across from his classroom. One morning, he appeared in the hallway toting a stepladder. From a leather bag he pulled a stencil set, pencils, a … Read more
“I looked into his eyes and knew that he would keep doing this. ” So said one victim of rape to the probation service following her rapist’s release from prison; her legitimate wish to convey the traumatic nature of her experience was held up by others as confirmation of the view that the release decision … Read more