Incubating Scientists

From our website ReImagine Science:
~
We posted a question to our network of science leaders, practitioners, policy makers, and consultants.
The question:
ReImagine Science (formerly Yámana Science and Technology) is celebrating seven years of effort to assist the science and technology sectors in building a future that efficiently serves the planet, society and scientists to our highest capability.
Institutions like the National Academy of Sciences have formally identified a need to support scientists in their ability to create and maintain strongly cross-functional teams in their ‘science of team science’ study area (see http://bit.ly/sciteamsci).

Now, under our new name of ReImagine Science, we are launching an incubator to provide the training necessary to richly engage scientists in ‘team science.’ We would like to find out from you who you think our best target participant group might be.

We then asked respondents to rank the following potential participant groups:

1. undergraduate students
2. graduate students
3. post-doctoral scholars
4. early-career scientists
5. mid-career scientists
6. senior scientists or
7. other (who?)

Over 70 people responded.  This survey was not intended to be a statistically relevant assessment of the scientific community’s beliefs.  It was initiated to learn from our highly respected network, and to begin a conversation within the various universities, scientific organizations, and policy setting communities we intersect with.
The top three rankings are depicted below – graphing the choices for top rank, second, then third.

First Choice of respondents (by category)

~

As we noted in that posting, (see it here), my impression was strongly that those who are, or who work with, scientists are easily swayed that more team-work would be a good thing for scientists -- especially those they work with!

 

Our approach from our earliest days as a 501(c)3 - when we incorporated as Yámana Science and Technology in 2008 - we have felt that change must come from within.

 

Bringing that to the most personal level, one's own framing, beliefs, unknown biases, and ability to operate amongst other humans can bring energy and excitement, or can seem, often as not, a struggle against limitations - usually theirs.

 

In this spirit, we are undertaking a small prototype using TheoryU and social presencing theater at Estes Park later this month.  

 

If you are interested in more information, please contact me kennan@reimaginescience.org