2 Introduction and basics
We do terrestrial ecology to improve understanding and support decision-making and conservation of African ecosystems.
As far as we can, we conduct our work using Open Data Science principles, emphasizing scientific excellence that is transparent, reproducible, collaborative, and ethical. We aim to make our methods and results available so that they can be reused, reanalyzed, learnt from and built on. As a general guide to what this means, check out our course notes. Specifics of how this is implemented in the lab are detailed below.
See the next chapter for more detail on our lab culture and philosophy. We are motivated heavily by the following two papers - which provide a blueprint for how we think about the way we do our work:
- Our path to better science in less time using open data science tools (Lowndes et al. 2017)
- Good enough practices in scientific computing (Wilson et al. 2017)
- Five selfish reasons to work reproducibly (Markowetz 2015b)
2.1 How we meet
Currently, we hold weekly lab meetings (Mondays, 11AM) and individual meetings with Jasper.
We hold a monthly journal club starting at 10AM on the last Monday of the month.
We use Google Docs to set agendas, record decisions made, and outline action items during meetings. Each lab member has their own doc for their 1:1 meetings with Jasper. Prior to each meeting, create your agenda for that meeting in your Google Doc.
2.2 How we give feedback
Feedback, both giving and receiving it, is an important aspect of our lab. Most of the feedback we give and receive is when giving and attending practice talks or as part of the writing club. We expect feedback to be supportive but constructive. Nasty comments are not welcome, but we also don’t beat around the bush if tere are issues to be raised.
This resource from UBC does a really great job of outlining the main points of how to give and receive feedback.
2.3 The care and maintenance of Jasper
“Maintaining your adviser means asking for what you need rather than hoping [they] will know what to provide.” - Kearns and Gardiner (2011)
Please, please, please, take five minutes to read the Kearns and Gardiner commentary at the link above!
Beyond that, here are 3 additional points to be aware of:
- As Dr Seuss says “Unslumping yourself is not easily done.” While there are suspicions among the lab members, Jasper professes that he cannot read your mind. This means that he can’t possibly know what you need or when you’re stuck. The consequence is that you may have to be stuck for an unnecessarily long time before he notices, which can put you behind schedule and risk you failing to complete the degree in time. You do have one easy first step - tell Jasper! He’ll do whatever he can to help, even if this means passing you onto someone else or applying tough love.
- “You lead your projects. You don’t work for Jasper. Jasper works with you on your projects.” (to paraphrase (Markowetz 2015a)). Your degree or postdoc is aimed at your professional development. The more responsibility you take, the more you’ll get out of it. While Jasper may have provided he idea and funding, once he’s handed you the project you are the leader, his role is to help keep you on track. While there may be some tension between you taking leadership and avoiding getting stuck in a slump (point 1), open communication with Jasper will help you find the happy balance.
- Your adviser does not have to be your only mentor! There are many paths in academia and related careers, and many different personalities. Your adviser cannot provide everything! That said, they do have good networks and can probably help you find additional mentors to help address your specific needs, be they related to science, personal interests, race, gender, sexuality, etc.