Science Over Troubled Waters

Surprisingly, all scientists go through harsh times. Even the most successful geniuses, like Maria Salomea Skłodowska-Curie, said: "Life is not easy for any of us. But what of that? We must have perseverance and, above all, confidence in ourselves. We must believe we are gifted for something and that this must be attained." Hence, we must all expect and prepare for troubled times.

I started my laboratory at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Israel, exactly 12 years ago. After a challenging postdoc in Boston, I expected just exciting science, like my joyful years as a PhD student. As you all know, initial excitement inevitably meets reality. After more than 20 years in science, we do not talk about our troubles as much as we should; everybody is happy to share success (and we should!), but not all days are shining. Our training system focuses on the bright side, but the dark side is not confined to a far, far away galaxy – it's always lurking nearby.

A scientific career is a (very) long-distance run. It is highly competitive, and bottlenecks are getting narrower along the path. That is known, and we are trained well to succeed. Moreover, we might better train to fail, too – and keep alternative paths open. I would instead highlight the unexpected troubles that (not rarely) occur over the years.

"All happy families are alike; each unhappy family is unhappy in its way," (Tolstoy) indicating that the reasons for misery vary. Surprisingly, however, scientists do share common causes of unhappiness. The economic crisis in 2008 created a drought of funding that critically hit many of us. COVID-19 and the lockdowns limited laboratories for months, which turned critical, especially for junior PIs and students with limited time to graduate. Terrorism and war situations, which seem to risk world safety and cause unbearable human suffering, suppress science. Harsh situations can make it impossible to focus on long-term goals, and many scientists are dedicating themselves to healing the world, or at least their local countries. We witness horrible situations around the globe – from Ukraine, through the Middle East, and in large parts of Africa, while Asia consists of alarming conflicts. Science may and should build bridges over troubled water – or at least aspire for a better future for all humans. More recently, political changes in the USA have presented a funding freeze on some of our world's largest and most essential research organizations. While we all hope for a resolution, we must not neglect the personal cost and possible long-term damages.

How can we keep science over troubled water? First, recognize the situation. Ignoring rarely ends as the best strategy. Adjusting research activities can reduce damage and improve recovery. Some old advice is to simply keep going – and that's perfect if possible. If it is not possible, it is clear that working together with local and international colleagues can do better than individual acts alone. Second, do not forget your broader community; friends and loved ones are always significant – and sometimes, helping others can genuinely help oneself. Volunteer, communicate the scientific achievements and the need to keep on with sound research, sustain hobbies, and, if you like, do some sports activities. While it is legitimate to experience periods of depression (that most intelligent people know), it is critical to keep control and aim for clear goals that one can achieve even in harsh times.

Building true friendships and relating to active communities takes substantial energy on regular days. It proves most valuable over troubled times.

Blog post contributed by Prof. Roi Gazit (X: Roi_Gazit, Bluesky: @gazitroi.bsky.social) of the ISEH Publications Committee. 

Please note that the statements made by Simply Blood authors are their own views and not necessarily the views of ISEH. ISEH disclaims any or all liability arising from any author's statements or materials.