Abby Tabor
Quite a variety of subjects this week on MyScienceWork. Research at the intersection of political science and cinema, new incentives for drug development and a reminder not to be complacement about the position of women in science. One lesson to learn from all of them: never stop changing.
On Monday, Knock Knock Doc started our week off with pornography. Or, more accurately, one student’s doctoral work on censorship versus freedom of expression. Denis Ramond explains how the concept of what constitutes “expression” has evolved over time and what this means for our laws and our culture.
Knock Knock Doc - Episode 07 # Season 2: Freedom of Speech
Also changing with time is the number of women actively working in research, and for the better: a recent study showed that more and more women science graduates in France are staying to work in the field. A positive result, clearly, but not quite as impressive as in other European countries. This interview with Claudine Schmuck, an author of the study, explains what may help make the difference:
In women’s scientific vocations, France lags behind its European neighbors
Continually questioning the norms of our society like this is a necessary condition for moving forward. We might also ask if drug development has to continue in the same way it’s always been done, despite the problems of cost for pharmaceutical companies and patients alike. Fräntz Miccoli reported on an idea to revolutionize the current system, promoted by European Parliament member Carl Schlyter, in:
Prize Funding for Health Research
Enjoy your reading, remember to keep questioning, and have a great (long?) weekend.
The MyScienceWork Team
