People have asked me whether I consider myself a scientist or a journalist, and I’m tempted to respond with his iconic line. Personally, I didn’t feel the need to abandon my claim to being a scientist when I left the lab. Even for scientists who remain active in research, the definition of scientific duties seems to be limited to running experiments and preparing manuscripts. But we recognized that as scientists, we were uniquely qualified to serve as science communicators, educators, mentors, and advocates. Many researchers partake in these roles outside of their technical job descriptions and should view these engagements not as separate from their work as scientists, but rather as natural extensions.

Source: The Guardian October 13, 2023 16:04 UTC