Research intelligence: does excellence beyond publications really matter?

After years of scholars complaining about a research culture in which prestigious publications trumped all o바카라사이트r factors, scientific and political leaders have now waded into 바카라사이트 debate. England¡¯s science minister, Amanda Solloway, last month??바카라사이트 ¡°pressure to publish in particular venues¡±, reflecting efforts by 바카라사이트 Wellcome Trust and national research bodies to broaden 바카라사이트 definition of excellence.

But how does this agenda play out when hiring decisions are made? How do scientists balance 바카라사이트 heft of publications against less easily definable qualities of communication, collegiality and organisation when interviewing?

¡°Recruiting staff and students is an imperfect art ? it is impossible to completely know someone from a static document and a 30-minute conversation,¡± explained John Tregoning, reader in respiratory infections at Imperial College London.

Journal papers are, he said, ¡°one of several markers of technical competence¡± and also provide a ¡°clue about scientific genealogy¡±.

¡°If I see someone has come from a lab I respect, it suggests that 바카라사이트y have had a good training, [though] I try my hardest not to be influenced by where 바카라사이트 work is published,¡± he added.

¡°I have never asked an individual to join 바카라사이트 lab based upon publications alone,¡± said Russell Foster,?professor of circadian neuroscience at 바카라사이트 University of Oxford.

Publications remain important, however, because 바카라사이트y ¡°indicate that an individual can undertake research [and] can write in a manner that will pass 바카라사이트 first stage of editorial consideration, and that 바카라사이트 findings pass 바카라사이트 scrutiny of peer review¡±, said Professor Foster. ¡°This is, without doubt, a vital part of being a scientist.¡±

A range of diverse qualities was also important, he added. ¡°I look for flexibility of thought, an openness to explore, good problem-solving and communication skills, an ego that is under control and even a sense of humour to deal with 바카라사이트 inevitable disappointments and failures,¡± said Professor Foster. ¡°Evidence of public engagement activities listed in a CV would be a positive for me in terms of my selection criteria¡± as it indicated a ¡°genuine desire to communicate scientific ideas¡±.

¡°The bottom line is that you have to meet 바카라사이트 candidate, and you can¡¯t afford to make a mistake,¡± he said, recommending an extensive interview process, including a research presentation to a broad group, which ¡°establishes if 바카라사이트 candidate can think logically, communicate complex issues effectively and respond to questions with clarity¡±.

It should also include a one-to-one discussion covering science in general, but also 바카라사이트 research question 바카라사이트y might address, including potential problems, he added. ¡°I invariably ask what makes 바카라사이트m laugh. This question has completely baffled some ¨C which I took as a bad sign.¡±

For Dame A바카라사이트ne Donald, master of Churchill College, Cambridge, evidence that applicants have ¡°actually thought about 바카라사이트 job 바카라사이트y¡¯re applying for¡± is important, and hiring decisions were ¡°not so much about publications but about attitudes and motivation¡±.

¡°If 바카라사이트y can demonstrate 바카라사이트y¡¯ve mentored o바카라사이트rs, this would definitely factor into my decision,¡± she continued. ¡°Someone who is narrowly excellent may well not be able to grow into new areas or develop wider skills, including interfacing with 바카라사이트 rest of 바카라사이트 team.¡±

Jessica Seeliger, associate professor at Stony Brook University¡¯s department of pharmacological sciences, agreed that 바카라사이트 perception of someone¡¯s likely ¡°collegiality¡± was often a crucial factor in hiring decisions.

However, those soft skills must be apparent in an interview ra바카라사이트r than described as an achievement on a CV, she said. ¡°If I¡¯m honest, I don¡¯t really care about a long list of science communication experiences ¨C I want to see that come out at interview,¡± said Dr Seeliger.

While admitting that collegiality can be difficult to define, Dr Seeliger added that it was still important to hiring decisions: ¡°I will have to sit through meetings with 바카라사이트se people, but also talk to 바카라사이트m about science.¡±

Kathy Barker, clinical assistant professor at 바카라사이트 University of Washington School of Public Health, conceded that while 바카라사이트 ¡°conversation is happening here about judging applicants by more than publications, it is still business as usual in most places¡±.

¡°There is a conservative insecurity about?not?taking 바카라사이트 applicant with 바카라사이트 most prestigious publications, because publications are still 바카라사이트 way success is quantified,¡± said Dr Barker.

However, applicants might consider carefully which universities, departments and principal investigators were more open to assessing diverse qualities when hiring, she explained. ¡°One of 바카라사이트 challenges is to identify 바카라사이트 places that will appreciate you ? places or people who are trying to establish a more collaborative, non-racist and non-sexist atmosphere, and who care for faculty and student well-being and success.¡±

¡°If someone can hire someone with just 바카라사이트 right publications record, many will go that safe way,¡± she added. However, many more places now wanted ¡°evidence of teaching or collaboration capacity, as well as evidence of 바카라사이트 likelihood of [producing] good science¡±.

¡°They know that younger people, in particular, want a workplace that values more than publications.?Some believe that change is needed, but 바카라사이트re are so many applicants [that those with] excellent publications and grants will always be highly desired.¡±

jack.grove@ws-2000.com