I had an interesting discussion over beer with a colleague last week, we’re both seismologists.
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I had an interesting discussion over beer with a colleague last week, we’re both seismologists. The topic was, given the hostility toward science of the current regime and the difficulty of obtaining funding, how do we keep the science alive and moving forward?
One idea we had is to encourage and support independent scientists, who in a less-enlightened age would have been called “gentlemen scientists.” The concept would be to give interested people of independent means (e.g., retired) and STEM backgrounds the opportunity to do science in collaboration with scientists on campus. There would be shared office space, and independent scientists could at their discretion spend time on campus and meet with scientists and technicians to evaluate ideas and design experiments. They would presumably collaborate with full-time scientists to learn the current state of the science and the ins and outs of peer review and publishing.
As an example, much of seismology is signal processing; anyone with a background in signal processing (EE degree?) and even a rudimentary ability to code could produce real, useful science.
I would welcome any commentary here. Do you think people would be interested? If so, how do we reach them and invite them to participate?
Also: I’m not in love with the designation “independent scientist”, do you have suggestions for something better?
@wanderinghermit citizen scientist? Man, if I was in a different stage of life I'd love to help out.
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@wanderinghermit independent, but willing to accept funding from….. ?
I think the point is independent as in self-funding.
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@wanderinghermit citizen scientist? Man, if I was in a different stage of life I'd love to help out.
I like "citizen scientist" but that term is already in use with different connotations.
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I had an interesting discussion over beer with a colleague last week, we’re both seismologists. The topic was, given the hostility toward science of the current regime and the difficulty of obtaining funding, how do we keep the science alive and moving forward?
One idea we had is to encourage and support independent scientists, who in a less-enlightened age would have been called “gentlemen scientists.” The concept would be to give interested people of independent means (e.g., retired) and STEM backgrounds the opportunity to do science in collaboration with scientists on campus. There would be shared office space, and independent scientists could at their discretion spend time on campus and meet with scientists and technicians to evaluate ideas and design experiments. They would presumably collaborate with full-time scientists to learn the current state of the science and the ins and outs of peer review and publishing.
As an example, much of seismology is signal processing; anyone with a background in signal processing (EE degree?) and even a rudimentary ability to code could produce real, useful science.
I would welcome any commentary here. Do you think people would be interested? If so, how do we reach them and invite them to participate?
Also: I’m not in love with the designation “independent scientist”, do you have suggestions for something better?
@wanderinghermit I've usually heard the terms "citizen scientists" or "amateur scientists". Possible bias: some research of mine got a mention in Discover Magazine in an article years ago. https://www.discovermagazine.com/the-amateur-scientists-who-might-cure-cancerfrom-their-basements-16499
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I think the point is independent as in self-funding.
@wanderinghermit the deep pockets of a retired oil exec or Monsanto exec, self-funding some “independent” research?
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I had an interesting discussion over beer with a colleague last week, we’re both seismologists. The topic was, given the hostility toward science of the current regime and the difficulty of obtaining funding, how do we keep the science alive and moving forward?
One idea we had is to encourage and support independent scientists, who in a less-enlightened age would have been called “gentlemen scientists.” The concept would be to give interested people of independent means (e.g., retired) and STEM backgrounds the opportunity to do science in collaboration with scientists on campus. There would be shared office space, and independent scientists could at their discretion spend time on campus and meet with scientists and technicians to evaluate ideas and design experiments. They would presumably collaborate with full-time scientists to learn the current state of the science and the ins and outs of peer review and publishing.
As an example, much of seismology is signal processing; anyone with a background in signal processing (EE degree?) and even a rudimentary ability to code could produce real, useful science.
I would welcome any commentary here. Do you think people would be interested? If so, how do we reach them and invite them to participate?
Also: I’m not in love with the designation “independent scientist”, do you have suggestions for something better?
@wanderinghermit I retired due to disability this year and am attempting to follow this model. I have university researchers to collaborate with.
The key (for me, at least, working on the theoretical side of robotics) is establishing an official (if unpaid) affiliation with a university, so as to have library privileges. I'm still working out whether I'm going to be able to afford conference fees and APCs and am still at the "can you email me a copy of this paper?" stage of library access.
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I like "citizen scientist" but that term is already in use with different connotations.
@wanderinghermit @intrepidhero
Volunteer scientist?
Are you familiar with the Patient Led Research Collaborative? Obviously in seismology you don't have patients
. But their model of independent funding may be of interest -
@wanderinghermit I retired due to disability this year and am attempting to follow this model. I have university researchers to collaborate with.
The key (for me, at least, working on the theoretical side of robotics) is establishing an official (if unpaid) affiliation with a university, so as to have library privileges. I'm still working out whether I'm going to be able to afford conference fees and APCs and am still at the "can you email me a copy of this paper?" stage of library access.
I solved this by getting a professor to hire me as a researcher, paying me for one hour per 2 week pay period. He gets a lot of free work, mostly software development. I get $48/month and a university affiliation and library privileges. Win-win.
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@wanderinghermit @intrepidhero
Volunteer scientist?
Are you familiar with the Patient Led Research Collaborative? Obviously in seismology you don't have patients
. But their model of independent funding may be of interestI did not know about that, thanks for bringing it to my attention!
I like volunteer scientist better than independent scientist, but still doesn't seem to have the right flavor. Thanks for the suggestion!
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I had an interesting discussion over beer with a colleague last week, we’re both seismologists. The topic was, given the hostility toward science of the current regime and the difficulty of obtaining funding, how do we keep the science alive and moving forward?
One idea we had is to encourage and support independent scientists, who in a less-enlightened age would have been called “gentlemen scientists.” The concept would be to give interested people of independent means (e.g., retired) and STEM backgrounds the opportunity to do science in collaboration with scientists on campus. There would be shared office space, and independent scientists could at their discretion spend time on campus and meet with scientists and technicians to evaluate ideas and design experiments. They would presumably collaborate with full-time scientists to learn the current state of the science and the ins and outs of peer review and publishing.
As an example, much of seismology is signal processing; anyone with a background in signal processing (EE degree?) and even a rudimentary ability to code could produce real, useful science.
I would welcome any commentary here. Do you think people would be interested? If so, how do we reach them and invite them to participate?
Also: I’m not in love with the designation “independent scientist”, do you have suggestions for something better?
"Free-Agent Scientist"
Shortened: "Free-Agents"
Idea comes mathjobs.org verbiage I've experienced.
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I did not know about that, thanks for bringing it to my attention!
I like volunteer scientist better than independent scientist, but still doesn't seem to have the right flavor. Thanks for the suggestion!
Yeah I didn't think it was the greatest phrase either, but I didn't think of anything better. There is self-funded scientist, but I don't like that one
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I had an interesting discussion over beer with a colleague last week, we’re both seismologists. The topic was, given the hostility toward science of the current regime and the difficulty of obtaining funding, how do we keep the science alive and moving forward?
One idea we had is to encourage and support independent scientists, who in a less-enlightened age would have been called “gentlemen scientists.” The concept would be to give interested people of independent means (e.g., retired) and STEM backgrounds the opportunity to do science in collaboration with scientists on campus. There would be shared office space, and independent scientists could at their discretion spend time on campus and meet with scientists and technicians to evaluate ideas and design experiments. They would presumably collaborate with full-time scientists to learn the current state of the science and the ins and outs of peer review and publishing.
As an example, much of seismology is signal processing; anyone with a background in signal processing (EE degree?) and even a rudimentary ability to code could produce real, useful science.
I would welcome any commentary here. Do you think people would be interested? If so, how do we reach them and invite them to participate?
Also: I’m not in love with the designation “independent scientist”, do you have suggestions for something better?
@wanderinghermit freelance? Unaffiliated? Affiliate? Independently contracted?
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I had an interesting discussion over beer with a colleague last week, we’re both seismologists. The topic was, given the hostility toward science of the current regime and the difficulty of obtaining funding, how do we keep the science alive and moving forward?
One idea we had is to encourage and support independent scientists, who in a less-enlightened age would have been called “gentlemen scientists.” The concept would be to give interested people of independent means (e.g., retired) and STEM backgrounds the opportunity to do science in collaboration with scientists on campus. There would be shared office space, and independent scientists could at their discretion spend time on campus and meet with scientists and technicians to evaluate ideas and design experiments. They would presumably collaborate with full-time scientists to learn the current state of the science and the ins and outs of peer review and publishing.
As an example, much of seismology is signal processing; anyone with a background in signal processing (EE degree?) and even a rudimentary ability to code could produce real, useful science.
I would welcome any commentary here. Do you think people would be interested? If so, how do we reach them and invite them to participate?
Also: I’m not in love with the designation “independent scientist”, do you have suggestions for something better?
@wanderinghermit Community scientist?
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I had an interesting discussion over beer with a colleague last week, we’re both seismologists. The topic was, given the hostility toward science of the current regime and the difficulty of obtaining funding, how do we keep the science alive and moving forward?
One idea we had is to encourage and support independent scientists, who in a less-enlightened age would have been called “gentlemen scientists.” The concept would be to give interested people of independent means (e.g., retired) and STEM backgrounds the opportunity to do science in collaboration with scientists on campus. There would be shared office space, and independent scientists could at their discretion spend time on campus and meet with scientists and technicians to evaluate ideas and design experiments. They would presumably collaborate with full-time scientists to learn the current state of the science and the ins and outs of peer review and publishing.
As an example, much of seismology is signal processing; anyone with a background in signal processing (EE degree?) and even a rudimentary ability to code could produce real, useful science.
I would welcome any commentary here. Do you think people would be interested? If so, how do we reach them and invite them to participate?
Also: I’m not in love with the designation “independent scientist”, do you have suggestions for something better?
to take a lead from religion, I nominate "lay scientist" as in "one who follows the methodology best they can, considering their day-job", not an authority, but a viable teacher
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I had an interesting discussion over beer with a colleague last week, we’re both seismologists. The topic was, given the hostility toward science of the current regime and the difficulty of obtaining funding, how do we keep the science alive and moving forward?
One idea we had is to encourage and support independent scientists, who in a less-enlightened age would have been called “gentlemen scientists.” The concept would be to give interested people of independent means (e.g., retired) and STEM backgrounds the opportunity to do science in collaboration with scientists on campus. There would be shared office space, and independent scientists could at their discretion spend time on campus and meet with scientists and technicians to evaluate ideas and design experiments. They would presumably collaborate with full-time scientists to learn the current state of the science and the ins and outs of peer review and publishing.
As an example, much of seismology is signal processing; anyone with a background in signal processing (EE degree?) and even a rudimentary ability to code could produce real, useful science.
I would welcome any commentary here. Do you think people would be interested? If so, how do we reach them and invite them to participate?
Also: I’m not in love with the designation “independent scientist”, do you have suggestions for something better?
Scientish?
"Those who pay choose" so such a system must be designed to resist the overwhelming power of money from a single source. Diversify the income so you do not end up with a monopsony.
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"Free-Agent Scientist"
Shortened: "Free-Agents"
Idea comes mathjobs.org verbiage I've experienced.
I like it, thanks
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@wanderinghermit freelance? Unaffiliated? Affiliate? Independently contracted?
Free-range?
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Scientish?
"Those who pay choose" so such a system must be designed to resist the overwhelming power of money from a single source. Diversify the income so you do not end up with a monopsony.
Perhaps I wasn't clear, looking for talent, not dollars. People who want to solve interesting scientific questions and who don't need a salary to do so.
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I had an interesting discussion over beer with a colleague last week, we’re both seismologists. The topic was, given the hostility toward science of the current regime and the difficulty of obtaining funding, how do we keep the science alive and moving forward?
One idea we had is to encourage and support independent scientists, who in a less-enlightened age would have been called “gentlemen scientists.” The concept would be to give interested people of independent means (e.g., retired) and STEM backgrounds the opportunity to do science in collaboration with scientists on campus. There would be shared office space, and independent scientists could at their discretion spend time on campus and meet with scientists and technicians to evaluate ideas and design experiments. They would presumably collaborate with full-time scientists to learn the current state of the science and the ins and outs of peer review and publishing.
As an example, much of seismology is signal processing; anyone with a background in signal processing (EE degree?) and even a rudimentary ability to code could produce real, useful science.
I would welcome any commentary here. Do you think people would be interested? If so, how do we reach them and invite them to participate?
Also: I’m not in love with the designation “independent scientist”, do you have suggestions for something better?
@wanderinghermit amateur/maven scientists ?
But this also bring a negative connotation.
What you propose is a bit similar to some practices done in astronomy. -
Free-range?
@wanderinghermit sure, why not, have a nice day
