Thread by @SiddhrthKnkaria

On this #InternationalDayOfScientificCulture, let's talk about a different aspect of #science & #cuture:

"The cultural expectation(s) of what it means to be a #scientist, and why we need to question it!"

A thread 🧵 1/

In the light of the recent student deaths in multiple educational institutions across #India, I've been informally chatting with some students and faculty, in a bid to try and understand what went (and perhaps continues to be going) wrong!

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In addition to all the pertinent personal, institutional & systemic factors brought forth by many of my friends and colleagues, I want to try and reflect on one factor in particular:

"What does it mean to be a 'scientist' in today's world?"

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Most of us who work in academia (including people not actively pursuing research or working in academia-adjacent careers) have grown up wanting to be a 'scientist'.

This aspiration of being a 'scientist' is strongly shaped by the broader socio-cultural perception of science.

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Most students equate being a 'scientist' as someone with a PhD, post-doc(s), multiple high-impact publications & most importantly, a tenure track academic position.

So strong is this social conditioning that anything deviating from this 'golden track' is perceived a failure.

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This track & its alleged superiority are also emphasised by the entire academic system in more ways than one!

So ingrained is this 'dream' of being a 'scientist' that students are often unable to rationalise any interruptions, delays, or digressions from this 'golden track'.

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It is almost universally known that only a very small percentage of PhD graduates become full time 'scientists'.

Yet, many students seem to be unable to shed their accumulated social conditioning to accept that they may not be a part of this small percentage of academics.

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Multiple students that I spoke to over the last week admitted to being unable to give up their 'dream' of being a 'scientist', felt like a failure & had contemplated self-harm at some point!

Are such feelings restricted to these individuals only? Or are they more ubiquitous?

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In light of such 'cultural expectations of being a scientist', we need to ask ourselves if it's really surprising that students feel at the end of the rope when their dream of being a 'scientist' seems to be crumbling in front of their own eyes?

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While these accounts are undoubtedly 'anecdotal', we (as a society & as a community of academics) would be wise to *not* dismiss them as exceptions so easily!

We must question this 'culture of being a scientist' that we are all collectively perpetuating & its implications!

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There are several things that we could do!

1. Redefine cultural stereotypes:

Who is a 'scientist'?
Have more women, queer, trans, Dalit, Muslim, ... role models in science

What does it mean to be a 'scientist'?
Make sc. method+skills the basis instead of acad. positions

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2. Normalise diversification of science careers:

Inculcate recognition & respect for people in academia not actively pursuing nat. sc. research

Build infrastructure & ecosystems for non-academic science careers (SciComm, res. mngmnt, industry R&D, policy, technicians,...)

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3. Provide career-related mentorship:

Actively spread awareness about multiple career trajectories in science

Impart students with skills/training/resources to enable them to reflect, re-assess and re-calibrate their professional journeys

Encourage more open conversations

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4. Build more structured opportunities in science:

Create more non-tenure track sc. positions

Allow re-entry of people with career breaks

Rethink eligibility criteria (esp. age-related)

More affirmative action-based policies in sc.

Create rigorous feedback channels

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These are just some of my thoughts on how the broader socio-cultural perception of 'what it means to be a scientist' is a subtle but pervasive factor influencing the lives of millions of science students!

Please feel free to suggest more steps that could be useful below!

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Would love to hear your thoughts!

@SmitaJainIISc @SarahHyder @queersprings @labhopping @ipsawonders @SomdattaKarak @polybiotique @mkjolly15 @RhythmicSpikes @ViditaVaidya @MenonBioPhysics @vishuguttal @TifrArnab @Samatha_Mathew @KaushikLab @PrajvalShastri @SSarbagna @Stempeer15