Today I called someone at the National Academy and asked why there are
no postdocs are on their new committee to evaluate the structure of the
"science enterprise" as it impacts and is impacted by career prospects
for postdocs (I am paraphrasing as I understand the study - it is a
re-visiting of the 2000 COSEPUP study) (see article URL
below).<http://blogs.sciencemag.org/sciencecareers/2011/08/natl-academies.html>
http://blogs.sciencemag.org/sciencecareers/2011/08/natl-academies.html
Amid a long explanation of their plans, and a lengthy but possibly
fruitful conversation, one of the things I was disturbed by was a
partial answer to my concern: "... because we don't care what they
<postdocs and grad students> say". In context, I believe the real point
of the sentence was to describe why their committee contains older
"luminaries" in science who aren't in the fray of fighting over grants
and their careers like younger faculty are - which does make some
sense. However, the whole celebrity worship in science I think is
directly related to the low regard that is given to younger scientists
trying to establish careers. I still maintain that it is a little
irrational to have high hopes for this study resulting in much positive
change for postdocs and young scientists given that they don't have any
representation on the committee. It's not that the older guard of
science are all out to exploit postdocs or prevent us from competing
with them, but what does someone know about the current plight of the
young starting scientist who hasn't entered a lab in 20-30 years? (or,
in the case of the director of the National Postdoc Association, who is
neither a scientist nor a Ph.D.?).
<http://blogs.sciencemag.org/sciencecareers/2011/08/natl-academies.html>
To answer Wayne's question: Oppressive hierarchy, entrenched senses of
entitlement, rigid establishment structure... the usual root of societal
ills :) . You can test this: go into any scientific forum online and
say something negative about tenure or spousal hiring. ;)
<http://blogs.sciencemag.org/sciencecareers/2011/08/natl-academies.html>
Aaron T. Dossey, Ph.D.
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
http://www.allthingsbugs.com/Curriculum_Vitae.pdf
On 8/24/2011 9:32 PM, Wayne Tyson wrote:
Ecolog:
Among the several poignant responses received, this is one of the saddest about
why some people don't post contributions to Ecolog Forum discussions:
". . . because I'm just a student that my opinion isn't worthwhile even if it does
make a good point."
Somehow, somewhere in the length and breadth of academia, there are reasons why
students come to this kind of conclusion.
Why?
WT
