The Effective Scientist
A Handy Guide to a Successful Academic Career

A how-to guide to mastering the skills you need to navigate the murky waters of an academic science career effectively.

Corey J. A. Bradshaw (Author), René Campbell (Illustrated by)

9781316620854, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 22 March 2018

288 pages, 20 b/w illus.
22.7 x 15.4 x 1.5 cm, 0.49 kg

'With a relaxed and humorous style, Bradshaw indoctrinates the uninitiated into hard-won tricks of the trade, at times opening up to the reader about his own career missteps to illustrate a point.' The Times Higher Education

What is an effective scientist? One who is successful by quantifiable standards, with many publications, citations, and students supervised? Yes, but there is much more. Truly effective scientists need to have influence beyond academia, usefully applying and marketing their research to non-scientists. This book therefore takes an all-encompassing approach to improving the scientist's career. It begins by focusing on writing and publishing - a scientist's most important weapon in the academic arsenal. Part two covers the numerical and financial aspects of being an effective scientist, and Part three focuses on running a lab effectively. The book concludes by discussing the more entertaining and philosophical aspects of being an effective scientist. Little of this material is taught in university, but developing these skills is vital to maximize the chance of being effective. Written by a scientist for scientists, this practical and entertaining book is a must-read for every early career-scientist, regardless of specialty.

Preface
1. What is an 'effective' scientist?
2. Become a great writer
3. Me time
4. Writing a scientific paper
5. Sticky subject of authorship
6. Where and what to publish
7. The publishing battle
8. Reviewing scientific papers
9. Constructive editing
10. Fear not the numbers
11. Keeping track of your data
12. Money
13. Running a lab
14. Making new scientists
15. Human diversity
16. Splitting your time
17. Work-life balance
18. Managing stress
19. Give good talk
20. Getting the most out of conferences
21. Science for the masses
22. Dealing with the media
23. 'Useful' science
24. Evidence-based advocacy
25. Trials, tribulations and triumphs
References.

Subject Areas: Conservation of the environment [RNK], Applied ecology [RNC], Environmentalist, conservationist & Green organizations [RNB], The environment [RN], Earth sciences [RB], Earth sciences, geography, environment, planning [R], Marine biology [PSPM]