Learned Societies

This article was originally written for Cambio Ltd. on 13 March 2013. Access it here.

Learned societies are one of the mysteries associated with the academic world. In the first months of my PhD I distinctly remember my supervisors brainstorming the societies I should join during a meeting. Being unfamiliar with the concept I sat meekly by, nodding in agreement and writing things down, but I had never come across learned societies as anything more than the organisations that produced scientific journals. Why would I want to pay money to join one?

Well, there are many reasons, but the most obvious is conferences. Most societies have one of these each year, and as a member you generally get reduced registration rates.  This alone is a pretty good reason to join. As a student they are a really good way of building your confidence, getting used to how they work, and meeting people who work in your field (see previous post), and normally carry the benefit of a further reduced rate for under- and post- graduate students. If you’re lucky, the society may also subsidise your transport and/or accommodation.

On this theme, a very cynical reason to join a society is grants. These are often available to students not only for conference attendance, but to support travel to another lab for research experience or to attend meetings. Do be aware though that their availability varies between organisations. Societies sometimes award prizes to promising early career scientists as well, and can often point you to other sources of funding for various activities.

Another standard benefit is the member’s magazine. I find these a really good way of finding out what’s going on in my field – both in research and events held at various venues. I also find they’re a really good way of finding out who you need to talk to about certain aspects of your research! If you’re lucky they occasionally do an issue that seems to focus entirely on your research area, or contain detailed information on how to carry out a certain technique. There is also the added bonus that you occasionally find yourself or your group mentioned, which is always good for motivation!

The last (and in my opinion the best) reason for joining has to be the opportunities available for developing your skills, which by and large are communicated by e-mail or through social media. Science fairs, courses, competitions… there is a huge range of opportunities to be had if you want to develop your CV in this way. Since joining my array of societies I have had the good fortune to attend several science communication training days and a week-long GRADschool course, contribute to monthly magazines and online blogs, record podcasts and attend some really exciting events – all subsidised by the societies. Granted these bear testimony to my passion for science communication, but there are plenty of other ways you can develop your own special abilities.

Even if your supervisor doesn’t advise you to join some societies I really recommend you do – you’ll learn a ton, and almost certainly get your money’s worth!

'Tis the season to be collecting molehills!

Following my general disgust with the state of peat-free compost available from garden centres, Jon and I have determined to make our own seedling compost this year.

The key to seedling compost is a fine texture that allows seedlings to push down their roots, good water holding capacity so they don't dry out, and a good amount of potassium (i.e. potash - i.e. ash) to give the roots the oomph they need to get going. Seedlings really don't need much else.

So we are attempting something new: combining coir, worm compost, ash and molehills.

Molehills? I hear you say.

Well yes. A friend recommended this to me as molehills are composed of lovingly excavated soil from a depth at which the soil is pretty clean - i.e. free of weed seeds. The result is crumbly soil containing lots of lovely bacteria and nutrients which will bulk out your seedling mix.

The worm compost was from the first batch of 'black gold' from the bottom level of our wormery. Man those little guys have been hard at work. It's beautiful stuff.

The coir we get from Oxfam - it comes in a solid package about the size of a standard brick, costing £2.50. You soak it in water and the result is a builder's bucket of lovely coir compost whose transport has required a whole lot less fossil fuels than a hydrated sack from the garden centre. I imagine this would be a brilliant job for kids to do - it's like those expanding travel flannels on a massive scale.

As for the ash? Well, that comes from me burning our old bank statements, car insurance documents etc. Waste not, want not.

So far, no unexpected fungi. DO try this at home!