In between homeschooling three children, Zoom meetings, online teaching, Skype vivas, and emergency grant reviews, Alex wonders: How do I keep track of all the newly published research out there? Dear Alex, I am sure it’s on the minds of many of our fellow academics, who just reside bored in their homes at these times. What else to do during a pandemic other than scouring Twitter for the new ...[Read More]
Aïda rummages around within the lavish ball pit of rock samples as often as not, but is left unsure which rock type should be her number one: What is your favourite rock? Dear Aïda, I’ll be honest with you. Yeah, I’m surprised too… I don’t occupy myself that often with constructing countdown lists of rock types, and simply consider all rocks as equally and most important. O ...[Read More]
Befuddled by the yearly returning celebration of science during the Nobel award ceremonies, and heavy-heartedly noticing the absence of Earth sciences at this ball time after time, Pippi pulled herself out of her rationally induced depression and asked: Shouldn’t there be a Nobel prize in Earth sciences? Dear Pippi, Well, isn’t that a particular poignant question? Earth sciences simply being denie ...[Read More]
As frustrating as it seems every once in a while, Dara is confident still that his student will prevail and work out their troubles somehow. He contemplates his options, and seeks help to discern the correct approach: I am disappointed that my PhD student is going in circles. How shall I put pressure on them to finally get results? Dear Dara, Ah yes. The ol’ disappointing student. Life’ ...[Read More]
Blanka was scouring the field for evidence, collecting samples and making do with the supplies for a short field trip expeditiously. And then she couldn’t travel back home anymore: I am stuck at my fieldwork location due to closed borders and social distancing. What to do? Dear Blanka, That must be very inconvenient. I do hope that you can manage with the restrictions placed upon your moveme ...[Read More]
No physical assembly. A digital sharing platform. EGU reinvented. Valeri needed some time to process all this and is still deliberating his opinion: What did you think about the digital version of the EGU GA? Dear Valeri, It was great. Just. Great. There were loads of presentations with brand new science available online. Greatly readable, enjoyable and clear. So many new insights there, it was ey ...[Read More]
After asking many times whether or not I can hear him and just generally struggling to communicate, Noel finally manages to ask: On average, how many times is ‘Can you hear me now?’ uttered during a conference call? Dear Noel, Unlike the ritual of – the almost spiritual – sharing of screens, the accidental muting of the microphone and the associated questions varying on the theme of &# ...[Read More]
Tokío’s contract is about to expire. Confident she would convince someone to hire her through expert presentations, astute questions, insightful discussions and uncanny charm, she now frets: I was counting on networking at the EGU GA to find a new job, but now I can’t. What can I do? Dear Tokío, I’ve got a bad feeling about this. Don’t trap yourself in a panicking fit just ...[Read More]
During the umpteenth conference call this week, it is finally time for Carrie to share her screen. So, naturally, she asks: Where is the share screen button? Dear Carrie, I am not sure how to break this to you. Indeed, I am not sure if I should be the person telling you this. However, since you ask, I feel obliged to divulge this secret to you. Just promise me you will not tell anyone. Okay? Do I ...[Read More]
Embedded on a chair behind a laptop, with no access to the university labs in the foreseeable future and hands-on research activities stalling, Felicia resides ensconced: I need to access my lab to do my research, but I am not allowed to go. What can I do? Dear Felicia, Not very much by the looks of it. I suggest: take a load off and get some sleep. Wean yourself off of that 12-16 hours a day rout ...[Read More]