02 November 2007

Notes on Fisher Files, Sequence II, Episode 11 - What to work on

Here are my notes on the Fisher Files episode entitled "What to work on."
  • Science is fluid and often there are academic fashions.
  • Be true to yourself and work on things that are important and that you find interesting.
    • "Important" is determined by the community (public decision)
    • "Interesting" is what gets you out of bed. If it's not interesting, you won't do your best work.
  • Consider the project's timescale and the resources you need
    • Generally these will be underestimates, but remember this is a rough plan subject to change
    • Don't force yourself to stick to the original plan
    • Resources include money, time, collaborators, students
    • Peter finds that money is not so important at the beginning stages. If you have a really good idea, getting initial funds is not too hard
  • Getting funding
    • As time goes on, the scope and costs of your project become more clear
    • You start competing with established projects
    • For funding agencies, it is important to have a good story, meaning a narrative that expresses why this is important, how it fits in with other work, what's unique about it, what the opportunities are, how it connects with students
    • Notice that this narrative is not directly related to the scientific case
    • But realize that agencies are concerned with other matters besides just scientific merit, they might be interested in professional development, building up key research areas, outreach
    • The most important thing is that they understand your ideas and why they should fund it (express yourself clearly)
  • What happens when you apply for a grant
    • You submit a proposal, the proposal goes to a program office
    • The program officer has a budget and has to fight for that budget out of the overall budget from the federal government
    • The easier you make it for the program officer to defend his/her program, the more likely your grant will be funded
    • You might consider meeting with the program officer and explaining what you want to do
    • It's not so important that the idea be mainstream
    • Again, the most important thing is that you explain why your idea is good and why it should be supported
  • Collaborations
    • Building collaborations is a sensitive topic
    • Be honest (don't lie)
    • Be clear and say everything without hiding anything
    • Unlikely that anyone will steal your ideas
    • Even your competitors will appreciate forthrightness
    • Your competitors can be worthwhile collaborators on an informal basis (compare notes)
    • In beginning, don't be too choosy about collaborators
    • However, if someone treats you badly, tell them immediately and in stark terms
    • Insist on respect right away, don't wait until later
    • Perhaps your most important resource is your collaborators
  • Students
    • Be honest with graduate students about their prospects for a thesis, especially at the beginning of the project
    • Undergrads can work on risky projects that don't necessarily pan out
    • The senior thesis doesn't have to be a successful project; it can just be valiant attempt
  • Department/university resources
    • Talk to chair about getting research leave or time off teaching
    • Asking for a semester leave is a lot
    • See if you can get a few weeks off here and there at crucial moments in the project (e.g. when a big piece of equipment comes in)
    • Try to get off committee assignments
    • Negotiate for lab space
    • When talking to dean or chair about resources, make it clear how the money will be spent
    • You will have much more leverage if the money is going to be spent on supporting students as opposed to supporting you directly
    • Be ready to talk about your work for departmental/university-wide fund raising
    • Give credit to funding agencies in presentations and papers

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