A New Buzzword for Academics Needing Research Money
With usual funding sources squeezed, and Brexit round the corner, researchers are asking the public to fund their studies through crowdfunding – from bees to LSD
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Why is so much research dodgy? Blame the Research Excellence Framework
The Ref star system encourages novelty but offers no incentive to replicate studies – and that’s exactly what scientists need to do to be more sure of our claims.
Why Policy Needs Philosophers as Much as it Needs Science
Philosophers could help policy makers to ask the right questions. But to give this practical help, academic philosophy must take lessons from open science.
What works, and what doesn't?
On Ada Lovelace Day, Jenny Rohn reflects on her own experience of fixing gender inequalities in science.
Why Scientists Should Learn to Love Reddit
You’ll find communities thirsty for your findings – and a space to demonstrate measurable ‘impact’ to your heart’s content.
Scientists are giving advice, but are governments listening?
Peter Gluckman and James Wilsdon: This week’s summit of the International Network for Government Science Advice will take stock of progress in using evidence and expertise to inform policy.
ESA accused of 'having a problem with promoting women'
A leading space scientist has accused the European Space Agency (ESA) of having a “problem with promoting women” that has led to men holding almost every top job at the agency.
Money isn't enough
If Zuckerberg and Chan want to get some bang for their buck, they’ll need to break down the structures that hold brilliant young scientists back
Which are the best universities in the world?
Last week saw the publication of the latest world university rankings. But until the purveyors of these league tables address the uncertainties in their data, no-one knows where they really stand. Opinion piece by Stephen Curry.
Zuckerberg aims to 'cure, prevent and manage' all disease
Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan plan to invest $3bn over next decade to help scientists develop and utilise tools such as artificial intelligence and blood monitors to treat illnesses
Cut-throat academia leads to 'natural selection of bad science'
Scientists incentivised to publish surprising results frequently in major journals, despite risk that such findings are likely to be wrong, suggests research.
If we want to improve peer review, we'll need to invest in training
If we want to improve peer review, we'll need to invest in training
New reviewers are anxious to get some formal coaching before they start commenting the work of fellow academics.
Iran executes nuclear scientist who returned to country from US
Iranian judiciary confirms hanging of Shahram Amiri who it claims was a spy who had given away state secrets
Why scientists are losing the fight to communicate science to the public
Scientists and science communicators are engaged in a constant battle with ignorance. But that’s an approach doomed to failure, says Richard P Grant.
I’m a non-serious academic. I make no apologies for this
Dean Burnett: Some scientists argue that social media use is pointless. This scientist disagrees.
I'm a serious academic, not a professional Instagrammer
We should not have to parade ourselves on social media to please our employers or be considered enthusiastic
Don't turn students into consumers – the US proves it's a recipe for disaster
Americans embraced the marketisation of higher education, with profit-making colleges and debt-laden customers. The result has been corruption and failure
How technology disrupted the truth
Social media has swallowed the news – threatening the funding of public-interest reporting and ushering in an era when everyone has their own facts. But the consequences go far beyond journalism.
Citizen science: how the net is changing the role of amateur researchers
Scientific advances have always drawn on the work of non-professionals. Even more so now, thanks to technology.
EU tells Swiss no single market access if no free movement of citizens
Swiss-EU talks reveal determination of EU to make no concessions to UK over Brexit terms.
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