Just another Scientopia site
15 followers 0 articles/week
The lingering challenges of "bootstrapping" in academia

Some of you may have seen this piece in The Chronicle by Rachel Wagner, discussing her struggles as a single mom from an impoverished rural community trying to make it in academia. To put it mildly, it stuck a chord with me. Enough to get me to un-mothball the blogge and post something, obviously. Her experience is mine. She discusses how financial...

Fri May 8, 2015 22:03
The Passion of the Scientist

There have been a few responses (updated: Janet has one also, as does Mike) to this chuckleheaded essay chiding, well, basically anyone who isn't in the lab 60+ hours every week about how they lack passion about their research, and are essentially letting sick people die because they think they have the "right" to lives outside of the lab. I wish I...

Fri May 8, 2015 22:03
Aaaargh

It's been on of those months. Have way too much shit to do, and to complicate matters, I stupidly took on a new project on contract. This was supposed to be fairly easy, but it has been kicking my ass. Supplies haven't been coming in on time, had to make a bunch of shit from scratch, track down people to actually do the work, and still ended up spending...

Fri May 8, 2015 22:03
Grad students, get writing!

Over at Academic Inspirations, Dr. O brings up a great point about dissertation writing: On the contrary, grad students should be continually writing throughout their thesis work, one results section at a time. For papers, if possible. If not, then for practice. Writing is an art, and it takes lots of practice. You understand your data and results better...

Fri May 8, 2015 22:03
On the night shift...

Must be "feeling like a college kid" week here in the household. Yesterday I was mulling my drinking habits (which are, essentially, identical to those of Progeny, minus the chocolate milk) and today I'm practically pulling an all-nighter trying to catch up on work. Glaring zit, check--minus the serious self-esteem issues, I could be 19 again. I've...

Fri May 8, 2015 22:03
Monday confessional: Starbucks who?

It's that time of year again, when summer is winding down and thoughts turn to prepping courses and greasing the academic wheels. As such, I'm frequently asked by colleagues to meet for coffee or drinks to discuss teaching opportunities, course design, etc. I have a terrible, dark confession. A secret that generates jaw-drops and strange stares from...

Fri May 8, 2015 22:03

Build your own newsfeed

Ready to give it a go?
Start a 14-day trial, no credit card required.

Create account