Grant Jacobs • May 12, 2010 •
Perhaps because they can’t whisper in the Prime Minister’s ear? I’m kidding. (It would be a worry if there were some truth in it.) More seriously, I would like to understand why. Don’t get me wrong. My initial impression is that it is a fine initiative for those it does serve. I’m … Read More
Grant Jacobs • May 11, 2010 •
On the bottom of page 43 of the newly-released Igniting Potential document (PDF file) outlining the National government R&D initiative is this interesting graphic: (Source: Igniting Potential, p43; MoRST.) What I find interesting are the ’sidetracks’ from ‘permanent research staff’, what this might imply, and the lack of paths from the non-research and non-academic sectors back … Read More
Grant Jacobs • Apr 28, 2010 •
I’d like to invite you to share your thoughts on the future of bioinformatics in NZ over the next few years. On the 3rd of May be a one-day meeting ’Where will New Zealand Bioinformatics be in 2013?’ will be held at the University of Auckland. As the title suggests, this is to be a future-looking … Read More
Grant Jacobs • Apr 27, 2010 •
National and international collaborative computer networks offer different styles of data and computing interactions. I’m curious to hear people’s opinions on these. Below I offer some local links and invite discussion. Australia’s has opened an their Australian Research Collaboration Service (arcs) and eResearch Australasia websites. The latter, eResearch Australasia, is a meeting sponsored by the … Read More
Grant Jacobs • Mar 22, 2010 •
I’d like to point readers to Anthony Doesburg’s article in the NZ Herald on international collaborations in science. This article introduces a local perspective to the Royal Society of London’s recently announced initiative to ’map and analyse where, why and by whom science is being carried out around the world, and how this is changing’. The results to … Read More
Grant Jacobs • Mar 10, 2010 •
Annually the TED (Technology, Education and Design) conference is held at Long Beach, California. Devoted to ’ideas worth spreading’ smaller TED events are now being hosted in other centres through a range of programs. A event making it’s way around the internet again was a lecture by Sir Ken Robinson at Vancouver, Canada, in … Read More
Grant Jacobs • Jan 15, 2010 •
Specialists should be involved in planning grant applications, not brought in later. (I'm writing mainly about data analysis, as I see this as less of a problem for data generation.) Researchers should involve those who will analyse their data as they write their grant applications to assist the experimental design and to make more pragmatic employing … Read More
Grant Jacobs • Jan 05, 2010 •
Are authors of scientific articles given their rightful credits? Below I've reissued an article I wrote almost eight years ago, suggesting a (partial) solution to the issue of correct credit in scientific papers. Make of it what you will. Journals have since made some progress towards addressing this issue, although not in the manner I envisaged … Read More
Grant Jacobs • Dec 17, 2009 •
A potpourri of links to blogs worth checking out. I'm too busy today to write an original post for you, some blog articles worth checking out... Read More
Grant Jacobs • Nov 22, 2009 •
Providing better routes for scientists in businesses to enter academia might encourage scientists in academia to move to businesses? … Read More