Comments on: Fowler on academic rotation http://flinter.com/2009/01/08/fowler-on-academic-rotation/ Musing on science and technology in Ireland Sun, 23 May 2010 00:01:45 +0100 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: steve http://flinter.com/2009/01/08/fowler-on-academic-rotation/comment-page-1/#comment-464 steve Thu, 15 Jan 2009 11:19:12 +0000 http://blog.flinter.com/2009/01/08/fowler-on-academic-rotation/#comment-464 Teknovis, it's certainly a tricky issue. I guess the point of Fowler's argument, and one that I would agree with, is that we need to try to get away from a culture of publication for its own sake. Publication, or dissemination, should be on the back of strong work and important results. Also, bear in mind that SIRG, and all of the other SFI programmes, are written for all disciplines. Engineering heavy disciplines are somewhat different than "standard" scientific ones in their relevance to practice as well as theory. Teknovis,

it’s certainly a tricky issue. I guess the point of Fowler’s argument, and one that I would agree with, is that we need to try to get away from a culture of publication for its own sake. Publication, or dissemination, should be on the back of strong work and important results.

Also, bear in mind that SIRG, and all of the other SFI programmes, are written for all disciplines. Engineering heavy disciplines are somewhat different than “standard” scientific ones in their relevance to practice as well as theory.

]]> By: Teknovis http://flinter.com/2009/01/08/fowler-on-academic-rotation/comment-page-1/#comment-439 Teknovis Fri, 09 Jan 2009 00:55:00 +0000 http://blog.flinter.com/2009/01/08/fowler-on-academic-rotation/#comment-439 I think that experience is both areas is a positive thing, but I also understand why the post-doc was not enthusiastic about it. I think that this problem already exists in Ireland. It is very easy to see that certain well funded research groups are "paper mills". Actually, I think that SFI is partially to blame here. Look at the eligibility criteria for the SIRG scheme (http://www.sfi.ie/content/content.asp?section_id=739&language_id=1): "The applicant must demonstrate a proven record of internationally recognised independent research accomplishments. The applicant must be senior author (first, last or corresponding) on at least 3 articles in international peer-reviewed publications AND be a named author on an average of at least 1 international peer-reviewed publication per year since the award of the PhD (or equivalent)." I think that experience is both areas is a positive thing, but I also understand why the post-doc was not enthusiastic about it. I think that this problem already exists in Ireland. It is very easy to see that certain well funded research groups are “paper mills”.

Actually, I think that SFI is partially to blame here. Look at the eligibility criteria for the SIRG scheme (http://www.sfi.ie/content/content.asp?section_id=739&language_id=1):

“The applicant must demonstrate a proven record of internationally recognised independent research accomplishments. The applicant must be senior author (first, last or corresponding) on at least 3 articles in international peer-reviewed publications AND be a named author on an average of at least 1 international peer-reviewed publication per year since the award of the PhD (or equivalent).”

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