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  2. A fantastic book for anyone who teaches or works in science

A fantastic book for anyone who teaches or works in science

By sporte on January 8, 2009.

My husband brought this fantastic book home from the ASHG* that I think many of you will find interesting.

The book is: Making the Right Moves A Practical Guide to Scientific Management for Postdocs and New Faculty, published in 2006 by the Burroughs Wellcome Fund and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute.

You can download the book for free at the HHMI site and there's even a video of Tom Cech.

In fact, this book has such great information, that if it weren't for the interesting discussions in the comment section, I truly think this book would put Drug Monkey Comrade PhysioProf, and Isis the Goddess, out of the blogging business. There would be no need.

What does the wonderful book cover?

Here's are some example topics:

  • How to staff your laboratory
  • Asking staff to leave
  • Managing conflict in the lab
  • Gender and Culture Issues
  • Time Management
  • Project Management
  • Understanding the NIH funding process
  • Interpreting the Summary Statement
  • Understanding Technology Transfer
  • Setting up a collaboration
  • Indirect and Direct Costs

There are even teaching topics. Like

  • The principles of active learning
  • Case-based learning
  • Clicker technology

There's something in there for everyone connected with a science career.

*ASHG is the annual meeting of the American Society of Human Genetics.

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On that subject, we published a book a few years ago that's been very well received. "Lab Dynamics: Management Skills for Scientists", written by Carl and Suzanne Cohen. What's nice about it is it addresses issues on all levels, being a department chair, running your own lab with students, techs and postdocs, being a postdoc/student and dealing with your boss and fellow postdocs/students. Lots of good real-world examples for problems like determining authorship on a paper. More info here:
http://www.cshlpress.com/link/labdynp.htm

drdA; Yes indeed, I was lazy and should have listed you, too!

I really like your blog! Thanks for adding your link.

In fact, this book has such great information, that if it weren't for the interesting discussions in the comment section, I truly think this book would put Drug Monkey Comrade PhysioProf, and Isis the Goddess, out of the blogging business. There would be no need.

Bullshit. The BWF book is fine as far as it goes, but it is very vague and superficial when it comes to the real nitty-gritty shit that we dissect in exhaustive detail at our blogs.

Ah CPP - Don't you recognize when someone is pulling your chain?

Jokes are so hard on the internet. :-(

Truly, I think the book and the blogs complement each other.

While the book isn't nearly as colorful, nor as in depth as the blog posts and comments, it is more convenient and covers a wider variety of topics that you haven't been able to hit yet.

What if I'm talking to a med school colleague and they say something about problem-based learning? I might not find that topic at DrugMonkey or even here at this blog, where it might be addressed. But, I can get get a quick description in this book.