When the federal budget funds scientific research, it’s the economy that benefits
Research dollars don't stay locked up in academia and government labs. R&D collaborations with the private sector are common – and grow the innovation economy.
Academic rigor, journalistic flair
Articles on Science research
Displaying all articles
Here’s the three-pronged approach we’re using in our own research to tackle the reproducibility issue
A team of archaeologists strived to improve the reproducibility of their results, influencing their choices in the field, in the lab and during data analysis.
New statistical methods would let researchers deal with data in better, more robust ways
Any field that collects and analyzes data relies on statistical techniques to make sense of it all. Modern, more accurate methods should supplant the old ways... but in many cases, they haven't yet.
Can March for Science participants advocate without losing the public’s trust?
The research community tends to assume advocacy doesn't mix with objectivity. One study suggests there's room for scientists to make real-world recommendations without compromising their trusted status.
Who feels the pain of science research budget cuts?
What are research dollars actually spent on? Rather than looking at artifacts like publications and patents, a new initiative directly tracks the people and businesses that receive research funding.
Scientific theories aren’t mere conjecture – to survive they must work
In science, the word 'theory' has a very specific meaning that's easy for nonscientists to misunderstand or misconstrue. Here's what a theory must withstand to be accepted by the scientific community.
Philanthropy’s tech billionaire reboot could be good for policymaking
The priorities of science are being influenced less by government policy and academia, and more by the priorities of the philanthropic giver.
Is it time for a new model to fund science research in higher education?
With federal support for on-campus R&D dwindling as a percentage of GDP, keeping basic research afloat is a challenge. Schools and researchers are left to try to fill in the funding gaps.
Innovation and research suffer when visa rules keep scientists at home
Scientists from the developing world perceive current visa rules as a major impediment to professional travel. They miss out on opportunities to collaborate globally.
Science is key to U.S. standing, but presidential candidates largely ignore it
Neither major party has made science and engineering issues a big part of its platform. But research – and its funding – are crucial if the U.S. wants to maintain status as a global leader.
Why isn’t science better? Look at career incentives
Embracing more rigorous scientific methods would mean getting science right more often than we currently do. But the way we value and reward scientists makes this a challenge.
Expanding citizen science models to enhance open innovation
This method of crowdsourcing science legwork is ready to expand into other disciplines – and maybe the amateurs themselves can start calling some of the shots.
How fruit flies can help keep African scientists at home
Fruit flies aren't just a remarkable organism for research. They are also central to a project that aims to provide more at-home research opportunities for African scientists.
How computers broke science – and what we can do to fix it
Virtually every researcher relies on computers to collect or analyze data. But when computers are opaque black boxes that manipulate data, it's impossible to replicate studies – a core value for science.
If we want to promote innovation we need to focus on businesses
Research institutions don't have a monopoly on innovation. In fact, most innovation comes out of business, and it's this sector that needs more attention in innovation policy.
Can the states help the nation’s critical research infrastructure?
With future funding for science and research by the federal government still unclear, can the states play a role?
What Swiss migrant referendum means for future of EU research
In a referendum on 9 February, the Swiss population voted against mass immigration. That outcome will have far-reaching consequences on the position of Switzerland in European research cooperation. As…
Stopping the brain drain of women scientists
You can be forgiven for assuming that gender is not an issue any more in higher education. There are more young women entering universities than ever before and they are graduating each year in their hundreds…
Top contributors
-
Associate Professor of Archaeology, University of Washington
-
Senior Lecturer in Applied Ethics and SocioTechnical Studies, School of ICT., Griffith University
-
Professor, University of Wollongong
-
Senior Lecturer, Department of Computing and Communication, The Open University
-
Honorary Professor, Vienna University of Technology
-
Adjunct professor, UTS Business School, University of Technology Sydney
-
Lecturer in Australian Studies, The University of Queensland
-
Lecturer in Biology & Biochemistry; Developmental Biology Theme, University of Bath
-
Lecturer, Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge
-
Associate Director, Community-Engaged Research, Stanford University
-
Vice President for Research, University of Minnesota
-
Chancellor, University of Kansas
-
Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Conservation Biology, University of Pretoria
-
Assistant Professor of Cognitive and Information Sciences, University of California, Merced
-
Senior Research Fellow Social-Ecological Systems & Resilience, Griffith University
Most read on The Conversation
Does marijuana affect your sleep?
Massive sunspots and huge solar flares mean unexpected space weather for Earth
The ‘internet of things’ is sending us back to the Middle Ages
A deadly herpes virus is threatening oysters around the world
Want to fix America’s health care? First, focus on food
Seeds in space – how well can they survive harsh, non-Earth conditions?
Hurricanes drive immigration to the US
Why today’s teens aren’t in any hurry to grow up
Evolutionary geneticists spot natural selection happening now in people
