Ten tips for young scientists on how not to think about science

Main Article Content

César Marín

Abstract

Arriving to a proper definition on what is science has constituted a main issue of the philosophy of science for a long time. Besides, several actors in the general public (including authorities, funders, and science teachers/professors) have a lot of misconceptions and myths about how science works and what scientists do. This assay offers a series of tips to young scientist on how to deal or counteract such misconceptions, and overall on how not to think about science. Many of these misconceptions have strong negative effects on how science is thought, taught, and financed. Through the development of this assay I came to the conclusion that several aspects on the functioning of science and the scientific method, should be evaluated and taught differently. It is necessary to embrace paradigm shifts, avoid rationalist delusions, understand the plethora of scientific methods that exist, and especially, emphasize how important introspection is on the
scientific activity. As a consequence of this way of thinking and introspecting, changes in everyday behavior should be promoted: embrace cooperation and global scientific networking, emphasize the importance of a warmer and more inclusive treatment and behavior within and among research groups, be open in terms of schedules and ideas, and build a healthier work-life balance.

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How to Cite
Ten tips for young scientists on how not to think about science. (2022). Revista Vínculos ESPE, 7(3), 13-26. https://doi.org/10.24133/vinculosespe.v7i3.2735
Section
Ensayo
Author Biography

César Marín, Centro de Investigación e Innovación para el Cambio Climático, Universidad Santo Tomás

Doctor en Ciencias mención Ecología y Evolución de la Universidad Austral de Chile (2018) y Biólogo Ambiental de la Universidad Jorge Tadeo Lozano (2013), cuenta además con un Diplomado en Filosofía de las Ciencias mención Filosofía de la Biología del Instituto de Filosofía y Ciencias de la Complejidad (2020). Realizó dos postdoctorados: uno en el Instituto de Botánica de la Academia Checa de Ciencias (2021) y otro en conjunto entre la Universidad de O`Higgins y la Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (2018-2020), donde además estuvo afiliado al Centro de Ecología Aplicada y Sustentabilidad (2018-2021). Ha realizado seis estadías de investigación (2015-2022) durante año y medio en la Universidad de Hannover (Alemania), Universidad de Tartu (Estonia), y Universidad de Lund (Suecia). Desde 2016 ha dictado y sido invitado a clases de múltiples cursos de pre y postgrado en universidades de Chile, Colombia, Brasil, Argentina, y Uruguay.


Desde 2020 es el Editor en Jefe del International Mycorrhiza Society Newsletter. Además, pertenece al Consejo Editorial de las revistas: Agro Sur, Frontiers (sección: Evolutionary and Genomic Microbiology), y Journal of Sustainable Agriculture and Environment. Es el presidente y fundador de la South American Mycorrhizal Research Network, una red científica con casi 300 integrantes de 45 países. Es miembro fundador de la Global Soil Biodiversity Observation Network (Soil BON), y pertenece a la Junta Directiva de la International Mycorrhiza Society. Además, es Investigador Asociado de la Society for the Protection of Underground Networks (SPUN) y Asesor Científico del FungiFest – Festival de los Hongos de Valdivia.

Ha recibido los premios: “Somos Micelio 2022” por parte del FungiFest – Festival de los Hongos de Valdivia; “Simposio de Jóvenes Dr. Humberto Maturana” (2021), por parte de la Sociedad de Biología de Chile; y “Afrocolombiano del Año, categoría Academia” (2019), por el diario El Espectador y Fundación
Color de Colombia.

Sus líneas de investigación son: i. Biodiversidad y funciones ecosistémicas del suelo; ii. Micorrizas: biodiversidad, funciones, y aplicaciones; iii. Biogeoquímica terrestre.

How to Cite

Ten tips for young scientists on how not to think about science. (2022). Revista Vínculos ESPE, 7(3), 13-26. https://doi.org/10.24133/vinculosespe.v7i3.2735

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