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