career start bw’s Post

Last week I found myself deeply conflicted. The Hon Judith Collins KC MP announced that the government had instructed the Marsden Fund to close off funding for its Humanities and Social Sciences panels and only offer funding for fields of research with economic return to New Zealand. I have to confess that I'm a recovering classicist and historian, with a lay appreciation of the sciences, so I will have inherent bias here to which it's best to confess. I do fully understand the need to lift productivity and equip our economy with innovations and tools to thrive. I've actively promoted this through the #AccelerateAotaeroa research and marketing programme with Spark New Zealand and its partners. I was fortunate to be close to the work undertaken by NZ Institute of Economic Research (NZIER) team to review the challenges facing New Zealand's productivity challenge and the role for advanced tech. However, I am concerned that taking this action demonstrates a lack of insight into how innovation takes place. From reading science journalists like Steven Johnson, it's clear that it's the interplay of the broader swathe of human knowledge and enquiry that reveals new insights and gives direction to new technology. Ernest Marsden was a passionate scientist, but I suspect that he was a relentlessly curious mind who sought inspiration from a plethora of sources including his colleagues and fellow academics in the humanities. What do others think about this? Especially those working in sciences and scientific research? Am I blinded by my own biases or is it more nuanced? #marsdenfund #scientificresearch #innovation #accelerateaotearoa

Earlier this month, the NWO announced that Prof. Christian Smit of the Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences and Prof. Kai Jensen (University of Hamburg) have been awarded an NWA grant of 2.9 million euros for research that will contribute to sustainable management of the salt marshes of the Wadden Sea👏 The consortium that will work on the research project consists of scientists from the Netherlands, Germany and Denmark. Of the total amount, 1 million euros will go to the Dutch partners, of which Smit is the coordinator. The project is being conducted as part of the Netherlands Science Agenda (Nationale Wetenschapsagenda). This is one of five research projects aimed at protection and conservation of the Wadden Sea, in which the Netherlands and Germany are jointly investing €15 million. Read more 👇 https://lnkd.in/e33SAcq4 Picture: Wadden salt marsh near Uithuizen (by Rudmer Zwerver) #fsegroningen #universityofgroningen #impact #science #nationalewetenschapsagenda #waddenzee

A career passion is often sparked by opportunity. The Thomas More University biology field station in Kentucky gives students the opportunity to perform research aimed at understanding and preserving the natural environment. The $3,500 grant from the Terracon Foundation will help expand research capabilities and fund projects addressing pressing environmental challenges. The Foundation has awarded more than $4 million in grants since 2008. Learn more: https://bit.ly/3Zu38Im

ICYMI: Latest in the Ottawa News of Science Schools in Canada: The latest Ottawa Citizen science school news is actually about the closure of a science program, not an opening. Here’s the relevant part: While it’s not positive news, it is the most recent development about science schools in the Ottawa Citizen. You can find the article by searching “Ontario Science Centre’s school cancelled” [CTV News]. #CanadaOttawaSchools #CanadaSchools #OttawaSchoolNews

I’m very excited to share that my Master of Science research, conducted in the Onthank lab at Walla Walla University, has been published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS)! This study is the first to directly measure the energetic cost of color change in any animal. Our findings reveal that it takes octopuses a lot of energy to change color, which gives us new insight into their ecology and evolutionary strategies. You can read the full study here: https://lnkd.in/eETfKa_G (the paywall will be lifted within 6 months) Our research has garnered attention in several news outlets, including Popular Science, Live Science, and Science Magazine. Walla Walla University also published an excellent article on our work and the Onthank lab here: https://lnkd.in/eg9rm2D3. Check out these articles for accessible summaries of our findings! Additionally, our research has received international attention, with coverage in numerous countries. It’s been incredible to see our work resonating globally and I’m excited to see how this research will inspire future studies.

UNCW Assistant Professor of Biology and Marine Biology Matthew McLean and Ph.D. student Adrian Gonzalez-Ortiz have received a $400,000 NSF EMBRACE grant. Their project, "The Dynamics and Drivers of Fish-Mediated Ecosystem Functions in European Seas," will explore the role of fish assemblages in nutrient cycles like nitrogen and phosphorus, assessing impacts from climate change and fishing pressures. Their research includes two North Sea expeditions in 2025, supplemented by lab work at UNCW over the next four years. This grant is a milestone for McLean, who joined UNCW in 2023 with a vision to advance marine research and mentor passionate students.

Sarina Niedzwiedz defended her PhD thesis, which she conducted in the frame of The FACE-IT-Project in the Marine Botany department at Universität Bremen, working on #Arctic #kelp. Conratulations, Sarina! Check out the summary of Sarinas thesis here. #FACEITProject #EUPolarCluster #ArcticResearch #ArcticScience #ArcticPolicy #ArcticStudies #ArcticEnvironment #PolarScience #PolarResearch https://lnkd.in/e_j-gY9J

📑 New Research Publication: The Definitive Scientific Guide to Bigfoot Research [2025 Edition] We've just released our comprehensive analysis of the latest scientific evidence, research methodologies, and field equipment used in modern Sasquatch research. Key highlights: - Analysis of 2024 DNA studies from University of Idaho - Complete field research equipment guide - Advanced surveillance methodologies - Conservation implications - Expert perspectives from leading researchers Whether you're a field researcher, wildlife biologist, or conservation professional, this guide provides valuable insights into one of cryptozoology's most enduring mysteries. Read the full guide here: https://lnkd.in/gHjGk7UJ #WildlifeResearch #Sasquatch #Conservation #Cryptozoology #bigfoot

Latest in the Ottawa News of Science Schools in Canada: The latest Ottawa Citizen science school news is actually about the closure of a science program, not an opening. Here’s the relevant part: While it’s not positive news, it is the most recent development about science schools in the Ottawa Citizen. You can find the article by searching “Ontario Science Centre’s school cancelled” [CTV News]. #CanadaOttawaSchools #CanadaSchools #OttawaSchoolNews

🌿🔬 New Publication Alert! 📖✨ 🌍 Community Power & Citizen Science in Combating Invasive Species 🌱🔍 We are thrilled to share our latest research with an incredible team of scientists! Our study underscores the vital role of community-led surveillance in managing invasive alien species, which pose significant threats to our environment, economy, and health. 🌐🌟 By harnessing the potential of citizen science, we can detect and respond to these threats much more effectively. 🧐👥 📊 Analyzing 600 official first records from 30 countries and comparing them to over 220 million entries on popular platforms like eBird, Pl@ntNet, iNaturalist, and more, our study reveals an intriguing insight: In 20% of cases, public recordings identified invasive species earlier than official sources, with another 30% reported in the same year. 📅🌿 This emphasizes that platforms like eBird and iNaturalist are not just tools for enthusiasts but pivotal in the early detection and management of invasive species. Especially in countries like Sweden and the Netherlands, citizen scientists are leading the way in early detection. 🇸🇪🇳🇱👀 We recommend enhancing collaboration between public recording schemes and authorities to ensure data flows seamlessly and is accessible on open platforms. This cooperation can be further strengthened by integrating new technologies and encouraging more public participation in targeted areas. 🤝💡 📖 Read the publication here: https://lnkd.in/dxVdXkcF