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The first in the Focus Series on Global Science Education, The Whys of a Scientific Life examines why scientists do what they do. Working from a diverse background in scientific research, including academic departments of physics and chemistry, as well as the scientific civil service, the author describes the choices scientists make. Fundamentally, a scientist asks questions based on curiosity. In addition, the environment is very important. By influencing their elected governments, society itself shapes the scientific research that is undertaken by scientists. This book follows on naturally from the author's last book, Skills for a Scientific Life, which is a how-to guide for scientists and those that aspire to engage in science as a career.
Key Features:User friendly and concise, this text dissects the whys of science and discovery
The author has outstanding experience in mentoring science students and staff, and also in outreach activities for the public and students of all ages including schools
The final chapter emphasises the joys of the scientist in research
List of contents
1. Introduction to 'Because'. Part I: Fundamental science 2. Because we ask a question. 3. Because we make a hypothesis. 4. Because we wish to make a collection. 5. Because of 'What happens if?'. 6. Because one thing leads to another. 7. Because we get criticized. 8. Because we referee other scientists. 9. Because something unexpected happens. 10. Because sometimes we have to interrupt a line of research investigation. 11. Because we want to tackle adventurous research. Part II: The role of technology. 12. Because of technology push. Part III: The wider research and work environment. 13. Because we wish to engage in a grand challenge or mission led research objective. Part IV: The scientist's inner self. 14. Because we wish to develop our skills for a better future. 15. Because we wish to reach to an end point. 16. Because we like finding things out 'at the science bench'. Part V: Communication of science. 17. Why do scientists confer so much?. 18 Why do scientists submit their research to a journal?. Part VI: Science and society. 19. Because we can expand the scope of research with 'Open Science' bringing an improved future for Society 22. Because a new or improved product is needed via industrial research. 23. Importance of the 'Whys of a scientific life' for society. Part VII Fundamentals revisited. Why is science objective? Because of data and peer review. 24. Why is Science a joy to do?
About the author
John R. Helliwell is Emeritus Professor of Chemistry at the University of Manchester. He was awarded a DSc degree in physics from the University of York in 1996. He was Director of Synchrotron Radiation Science at the Council for the Central Laboratories of the Research Councils (CCLRC). He has served as President of the European Crystallographic Association (ECA). He is a Fellow of the Institute of Physics, the Royal Society of Chemistry, the Royal Society of Biology, and the American Crystallographic Association. In 1997, he was made an Honorary Member of the National Institute of Chemistry, Slovenia. He was elected a corresponding member of the Royal Academy of Sciences and Arts of Barcelona, Spain, in 2015. He was made an Honorary Member of the British Biophysical Society in 2017. He was the Kathleen Lonsdale Lecturer of the British Crystallographic Association in 2011, the Patterson Prize Awardee of the American Crystallographic Association in 2014, and the Max Perutz Prize Awardee of the European Crystallographic Association in 2015. He is the International Union of Crystallography Representative at the International Council for Science Committee on Data. He has published more than 200 research publications and two research monographs.
Summary
The book describes why we undertake science and discovery in various forms, and it explores the possible limits of discovery faced jointly by scientists and society in general. The author offers case studies and illustrates how researchers collaborate to tackle science challenges of a larger scope as well as educate future science students.
