-----Original Message-----
From: psci-com: on the public understanding of science
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Jamie Davies
Sent: 02 December 2003 18:10
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [PSCI-COM] Job Opportunity at the Science Media Centre
>I am not convinced that a fresh out of uni PhD will know much about the
peer
>review process and garnering grants. These are the grunts of research. They
>do what the profs tell them, when they get a chance to see them. It is the
>prof who gets the grants and writes and peer reviews papers and proposals.
That depends on the University.
People in our (Edinburgh's) 4-year PhD biomedical programme are most
certainly exposed to these processes; as well as seeing grants they must
write a 'mock' application as part of their education, and are assessed on
it. Many take part in writing real ones too. They also have to perform
---End Quoted (and cut) Message---
That is good news. And I am sure you are right about the variation from
place to place.
I know that the quality of supervision has been high on the agenda at the
EPSRC for some years. They try to stamp out the sort of behaviour where
supervisors denied research students the opportunity to go on courses that
provide communication skills, for example. But to do this they all but had
to resort to financial sanctions.
EPSRC has regular events for research students. Indeed, I have held sessions
on the media at these.
I wonder if the same policy now applies across all the research councils. Or
does the MRC still manage to be the Teflon RC, with nothing sticking to it
while it goes its own sweet way.
We have to remember that it was the Wellcome Trust that led the way with
decent, or less crap, student stipends. The RCs had to catch up.
Unfortunately, I still come across the occasional research student who runs
the risk of developing vitamin deficiency because they are chained to the
lab bench and never see daylight. You just have to catch a few of these in
the bar, late at night of course, to hear the gripes about the treatment
meted out to them by their supervisors.
MK
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