Early career research: the power of 'no'

Learning how to be selective in the opportunities you take is challenging, says Adam Dunn, but can shape a research career. I say yes to new research opportunities much more often than I should. Whether it is new collaborations, helping colleagues with statistical analyses and data visualisation, reviewing obscure multidisciplinary manuscripts, or chasing down the bizarre ideas that arrive in the middle of the night, I have trouble saying no. All academics face endlessly growing to-do lists, yet there is precious little advice out there about what to avoid putting on the list in the first place. The portrait of the low stress, no pressure Forbes professor is a myth. The reality for early career researchers is much closer to the other extreme. Read more...