Scientific Publishing Is a Joke
An "XKCD" comic and its many remixes perfectly captures the absurdity of academic research.
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U.S. Will Back Proposal to Waive Covid-19 Vaccine Patent Rights
The decision by the Biden administration to support the proposal comes after months of fruitless talks at the World Trade Organization.
Virtue and Willingness
The urgency of the climate crisis demands individual ethics as much as a willingness to cooperate with power. But reconnecting humans with the natural world also forces us to revisit the promises of ever-growing efficiency and a culture of exploitation.
Open Access Publishing is the Ethical Choice
When Martin Eve had a stroke five years ago, paywalls prevented him researching his condition. He argues that the current system is patronising, elitist, and needs to change.
We Shouldn't Take the Independence of Our Universities for Granted
Our colleges are exceptional sources of vitality for society and pillars of democracy
What's at Stake in the Epic Vs. Apple Trial
One of the biggest antitrust lawsuits in the history of Big Tech kicked off this week - here's what you need to know.
How We Embarked on a Long-distance Relationship on Behalf of Our Research Career
How We Embarked on a Long-distance Relationship on Behalf of Our Research Career
Many scientist couples move abroad together, but Gidiane Scaratti and Rafael Kenji Nishihora chose to live and work in different countries. This is what they learnt.
They Told Their Therapists Everything. Hackers Leaked It All
They Told Their Therapists Everything. Hackers Leaked It All
A mental health startup built its business on easy-to-use technology. Patients joined in droves. Then came a catastrophic data breach.
Manage Your Affiliations with a Few Simple Clicks
Can you upload a CSV file? Are you an ORCID Consortia Member? Then you can add affiliation data to your researchers' records with our Affiliation Manager!
Mary Rose Ship Had Multi-ethnic Crew, Study Shows
Analysis of remains of crew on Henry VIII's favourite warship sheds light on diversity in Tudor England
The Next Wave
The dictate of 'systemic importance' is being used to purge all forms of culture resistant to marketization. A newly strengthened alliance between the cultural sector and civil society has emerged in response. But an anti-democratic backlash is also gaining ground, not least from within culture itself.
You Can Help to Create a New Researcher-reward System
Universities, funders and others want to expand the contributions that the scientific community values and recognizes, says Karen Stroobants.
Data Colonialism and a Path Towards Data Sovereignty and Digital Sustainability
Data Colonialism and a Path Towards Data Sovereignty and Digital Sustainability
In the introductory talk of this event, the speakers argue that the role of data in society needs to be grasped as not only a development of capitalism, but as the start of a new phase in human history that rivals in importance the emergence of historic colonialism.
The Instagram ads Facebook won't show you
Companies like Facebook aren’t building technology for you, they’re building technology for your data. They collect everything they can from FB, Instagram, and WhatsApp in order to sell visibility into people and their lives.
Fact or Fake? Tackling Science Disinformation
This discussion paper describes and discusses the problems and the consequences of science disinformation in three areas of concern, namely climate change, vaccines and pandemics, and what we can do to increase awareness and minimize harm caused by the spread of disinformation.
Biden Has Elevated the Job of Science Adviser. Is That What Science Needs?
Biden Has Elevated the Job of Science Adviser. Is That What Science Needs?
The Senate is considering Eric S. Lander's nomination after months of delay. Some experts ask if an adviser can actually have an impact.
Poor Countries Need Billions in Aid to Avert COVID-19 Catastrophe, Experts Warn
Poor Countries Need Billions in Aid to Avert COVID-19 Catastrophe, Experts Warn
The virus will overwhelm health services across South America, Asia and Africa unless world leaders take urgent action.
Studying History Should Not Be Only for the Elite, Say Academics
As two UK universities cut their courses, historians fear others could follow.
The REF's Singular Focus on Excellence Limits Academic Diversity
Research assessment exercises in the UK ostensibly serve to evaluate research, but they also shape and manage it. The author argues that the REF promotes a narrow vision and calls for a wider distribution of research funding to prevent fields being captured by dominant academic cultures.
The Importance of Early Career Researchers for Promoting Open Research
The Importance of Early Career Researchers for Promoting Open Research
Early career researchers appear to be at the vanguard of open research, with them reporting more positive attitudes towards sharing of code compared to more experienced researchers.
Why Hybrid Journals Do Not Lead to Full and Immediate Open Access
6 arguments are presented that articulate why cOAlition S organisations will not financially support the hybrid model of publishing.
Comparison of Preprints and Final Journal Publications from COVID-19 Studies
Comparison of Preprints and Final Journal Publications from COVID-19 Studies
A comparison of preprints and their final journal publications show discrepancies in results reporting and spins in interpretation.
How Universities Have Betrayed Reason and Humanity-And What's to Be Done About It
How Universities Have Betrayed Reason and Humanity-And What's to Be Done About It
We urgently need to create a high-profile campaign devoted to transforming universities in the way required so that humanity may learn how to make social progress toward a better, wiser, more civilized, enlightened world.
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