Join Professor Heidi Williams, an expert in metascience research career paths, Matt Clancy, an innovation economist, and Professor Paul Niehaus, who bridges academic and non-academic worlds. They dive into navigating diverse career pathways in metascience, emphasizing the crucial link between research and policy. Discover the importance of mentorship, supportive communities, and finding use-inspired questions. Learn how to transform academic insights into impactful actions, shaping the future of science in various sectors.
Exploring diverse career paths in metascience highlights the significance of matching personal interests with societal needs in research.
Working in government provides unique opportunities to influence policy through applied economic research, contrasting with academia's focus on curiosity-driven inquiry.
Institutional environments greatly impact research direction, underscoring the need for researchers to align with settings that reflect their values.
Deep dives
Career Paths in Metascience
Various career paths in metascience research are explored, focusing on opportunities within academia, government, nonprofits, and the private sector. The discussion emphasizes the value of an economics PhD as a versatile toolkit for addressing complex problems in metascience. It highlights how professionals have different trajectories even when starting from similar academic backgrounds, fostering the understanding that there is no single correct path. The conversation aims to inspire students and young professionals to consider diverse opportunities that align with their interests in scientific progress.
Government Research Opportunities
Working in government agencies offers unique opportunities for applying economic research to policy-making. An example discussed is the Economic Research Service at the USDA, where research economists focused on providing actionable insights for policymakers rather than purely academic pursuits. This approach necessitates anticipating future challenges and getting ahead with relevant research, which contrasts with academia's emphasis on curiosity-driven research. The connection between research and practical applications in government roles is established as a motivating factor for many aspiring researchers.
Academia-Adjacent Research Roles
Alternatives to traditional academic roles include positions in think tanks, nonprofits, and journalism that engage with pressing social issues. These roles typically require a PhD and are focused on applied research, often addressing the immediate needs of the organizations. Examples such as the International Rescue Committee and GiveDirectly illustrate how NGOs integrate research teams to inform their operations and decision-making. This segment sheds light on the benefits and challenges of pursuing a career in these adjacent areas, emphasizing the significance of aligning personal interests with tangible societal needs.
The Value of Private Sector Experience
Gaining experience in the private sector can provide insights that significantly enhance research quality and impact. Exposure to industry practices allows researchers to better understand how firms make decisions and navigate regulatory challenges, which can inform their academic inquiries. An anecdote illustrates how past experiences in sales led to valuable insights in academic research, providing clarity that may not be recognized without such exposure. This section encourages aspiring researchers to view time spent in private firms as a beneficial complement to their academic careers.
Impact of Institutional Environment
The institutional environment in which researchers work can greatly influence their focus and the impact of their work. By comparing different academic settings such as public policy schools versus business schools, the discussion highlights how institutional priorities can attract diverse types of research questions and encourage specific methodologies. Researchers are urged to seek out environments that align with their personal values and the societal impact they wish to achieve. Ultimately, the conversation underscores the importance of self-awareness and intentionality in choosing the right institution to maximize one's contributions to metascience.
IN THIS EPISODE: Professor Heidi Williams, Professor Paul Niehaus, and Matt Clancy walk through academic, non-profit and private sector paths to research, the importance of your surroundings, and how you can find good use-inspired questions.
“Metascience 101” is a nine-episode set of interviews that doubles as a crash course in the debates, issues, and ideas driving the modern metascience movement. We investigate why building a genuine “science of science” matters, and how research in metascience is translating into real-world policy changes.
Chapters
(00:00:00) Introduction
(00:01:36) Public service in government
(00:09:23) Academia-adjacent jobs
(00:14:47) Time in the private sector
(00:17:23) Thinking about PhD route
(00:23:59) Guiding and advising students in academia
(00:25:36) What to do during your PhD
(00:28:50) Institutions, surroundings, and peers
(00:35:57) Finding use-based questions
(00:39:53) Sales pitch to do research
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.macroscience.org
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