• Question: Do people like you a lot?

    Asked by pixelator to Daniel, Derek, Ian, Phil, Upul on 17 Jun 2010 in Categories: . This question was also asked by kezzily, jonhart.
    • Photo: Derek Mann

      Derek Mann answered on 16 Jun 2010:

      I hope that most of the people who work with me do like me, but we cannot be liked by everyone, that is human nature. I hope that my attention to making sure young scientists have every chance to succeed is something I do that does at least gains me respect, which in many ways is more important than being liked.

    • Photo: Ian Sillett

      Ian Sillett answered on 16 Jun 2010:

      I’d like to think people like me, and certainly my future wife does as do my family and friends… well most of the time! Some people probably don’t like me, but they’re probably not worth talking to. Certainly, if people don’t like me, it’s nothing to do with being a scientist. I definitely try hard to be likeable.

      I never thought I’d be asked such soul searching questions! Am I worthy human being? I’m going to end up in an early mid life crisis if I keep getting questions like this!!! 🙂

    • Photo: Daniel Mietchen

      Daniel Mietchen answered on 17 Jun 2010:

      Some certainly do, but amongst the people I know in various places, I am rarely the most popular one.

Comments

  • Photo: Daniel

    Daniel commented on :

    Derek, since you mention the chances of young scientists to succeed, what do you think are the most important barriers to this? And are initiatives like the European Charter for Researchers and Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers of any use in this context?

    • Photo: Derek

      Derek commented on :

      Hi Daniel, I think the most important barrier to success is lack of good mentorship, particularly at postgraduate level. We do not put enough emphasis on making sure that our young scientists are adequately informed about how to be succesful. There are so many “tricks to the trade” like learning how to write papers well that young scientists are somehow expected to just know how to do.

      • Photo: Daniel

        Daniel commented on :

        I agree that lack of adequate mentorship is a problem. How to go about it? And do web-based networking tools provide opportunities here? They could be as simple as having a dedicated series of articles with career advice, or more personalized – e.g. with every newcomer to the scene having the option to be mentored by (at least) one experienced scientist in their field (and possibly another one from a neighbouring one). All this within the current system.

        However, we could also think of changing the structures of science (a good idea in many respect, not just in terms of career prospects), such that they become (amongst other things) more inviting to newcomers. One first step in this direction would be greater transparency – not just free public access to the published literature but to each individual step of the research cycle until then, including decisions on funding and promotion. Under such conditions, most of the “tricks” could be self-taught, and if we were to use reputation systems adapted to these conditions, young researchers may actually have a say in research and research policy before they get tenured. I have sketched out my vision of an improved science system here and would appreciate your comments.

        PS: Sorry for hijacking this thread.