Challenges of training graduate students in interdisciplinary science

Brian Vastag (Nature) reports on the large increase in interdisciplinary projects and initiatives and highlights the challenges for graduate students. Graduate students are increasingly creating the 'bridges' between disciplines but their efforts may not be fully recognized when it comes to promotion and even-handed interdisciplinary peer review among funding bodies.

Calls for massive investment in computer and research capabilities

A four-day summit was held last week at the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts in Reading, UK, the scientists made the case for a climate-prediction project that would increase current computer capacity by 10,000 times. This is required to meet the finer resolution predictions required by policy makers (Reported in Nature, 15th May 2008).

writewith: another great way to help us work more effectively together

From an initial look this free application has a large amount of potential to assist multi-author papers etc.

Commentary in Nature: Europe's research system must change

Science funding in the European Union needs to be revised to better serve economic, social and environmental goals, Luke Georghiou in Nature argues that there needs to be greater levels of trans-national coordination in European approaches to tackling a small number of policy relevant 'grand challenges'. Improved linkages between policy makers and the organization and science of the Framework programmes and ERA-Nets is required.

Nature Editorial: The path to productive partnerships

Last week's editorial in Nature highlighted the need for institutions e.g. funding bodies to help scientists work more effectively together. Financial incentives on their own do not form effective teams. There needs to be guidelines and agreements from day one on how these teams operate. Rather than expecting scientists to (re-)invent the rules, institutions need to provide this support.

To blog or not to blog?

COMMENTARY In Nature Geoscience 'To blog or not to blog?'
Scientists know much more about their field than is ever published in peer-reviewed journals. Blogs can be a good medium with which to disseminate this tacit knowledge.

Defra: Consultation on the draft Soil Strategy for England

Defra are inviting your views on the draft Soil Strategy for England. The purpose of the document is to provide a sound framework for policy making and delivery with the aim of ensuring the sustainable management of England’s soils. This is an important opportunity to influence soils policy and future research in England. The deadline for responses is 23 June 2008.