Communication with other scientists

The estimate of the exposure in this example is 0.34 pg/kg body weight per day (see Appendix 1). Normally, this value is communicated with an estimate of toxicity or together with toxicology-based target values, such as, for example, reference dose (RfD) or acceptable daily intake (ADI). 

It is clear that the factors impacting exposure are much more complex than those described in the conceptual model. However, simplification was necessitated by limitations of the available data. 

As part of this exercise, the extent to which the different uncertainties may interact was considered. Therefore, although the level of uncertainty of the model assumptions, structure and details was characterized as Low when considered in isolation, the uncertainty of subsequent considerations (i.e. model extrapolations, chemical-specific exposure data, non-chemical-specific exposure data and exposure assessment result) was considered to be a function primarily of limitations (i.e. simplicity) of the conceptual model. 

The uncertainty varies according to the considered sources and characteristics of uncertainty, as shown in Table A1.2. 

---

The stereotypical image of a scientist as a faceless white coat hunched over a microscope in the corner of a lab has never been accurate, but it s even more wrong today. While plenty of scientists spend a lot of time in their own workspaces, they rely heavily on interaction with other scientists to share ideas and validate concepts—at scientific conferences, at the coffee maker, or via e-mail. Although a scientist in his or her own lab may crack away for years at a very small piece of a big puzzle—say, how a particular enzyme works — he or she spends much of the time communicating with other scientists to further the understanding of molecular secrets. 

The most imjxutant aspect of an analysis is to ensure that it will provide useful and reliable data on the qualitative and/or quantitative composition of a material or structural information about the individual compounds present. The analytical chemist must often communicate with other scientists and nonscientists to establish the amount and quality of the information required, the time-scale for the work to be completed and any budgetary constraints. The most appropriate analytical technique and method can then be selected from those available or new ones devised and validated by the analysis of substances of known composition and/or structure. It is essential for the analytical chemist to have an appreciation of the objectives of the analysis and an understanding of the capabilities of the various analytical techniques at his/her disposal without which the most appropriate and cost-effective method cannot be selected or developed. 

The manager and the secretary must be part of the global plan as well. Information transfer and communication are required not only with other scientists in the laboratory, but with the administration and support functions as well. The manager must bridge between the technical and the business functions. To accomplish this he must... 

It was confirmed that scientists generally communicate with other researchers in the same and adjacent fields anywhere in the world, whereas there is virtually no professional communication with other researchers, no matter how close-by. The interviewed persons would consider such professional contacts interesting and refreshing, and even thought they could lead to useful follow-up research which would otherwise not be considered at all. 

So, nearly half a century after the emergence of the concept, we its practitioners have in materials science and engineering a clearly distinct discipline which in practice doubles up as a multidiscipline, with a substantial number of independent academic departments and research institutes spread around the world, with its own multifarious journals and textbooks, and a large number of professionals, also spread around the world, who call themselves materials scientists and engineers and communicate with each other on that basis. We have a profession to be proud of. 

Scientists should also seek to strengthen their communications with government and other stakeholders. Not only will this assure that decisionmakers have access to good science but it will improve their prospects for financial support. 

Because it will take more than a single encounter with Write Like a Chemist to become a skilled writer, the book can serve as a rich resource over the years when the goal is to communicate effectively in writing with chemists, other scientists,... 

The role of biomass in the natural carbon cycle is not well understood, and in the light of predictions of a future atmospheric energy balance crisis caused by carbon dioxide accumulation, in turn the result of an exponential increase in the consumption of carbon fuel, the apparent lack of concern by scientists and policy makers is most troubling. Yet there is no other single issue before us in energy supply which will require action long before the worst effects of excess production will be apparent. The only satisfactory model is the action taken by the R D community with respect to the SST in nitric oxide potential and chloro-halocarbon emissions, when it was realised that the stratospheric ozone layer was vulnerable to interference. Almost all other responses to pollution" have been after definitive effects have become apparent. 

Risk assessors and decision makers both need to be prepared to communicate risk results in an understandable form to other practitioners (regulatory and registrant), stakeholders, and the public. This is particularly critical in the case of uncertainty in the assessment. Most scientists hired to perform risk assessment are thoroughly trained in their subject matter but less familiar with the demands of public presentation or the essentials of educating at multiple levels. Regulators must provide scientists and decision makers with the support and opportunity to develop skills necessary to effectively communicate with stakeholders and the public. 

Communication is always critical to any project. Managers should ensure that their employees talk to each other, the scientists, and the customers. Specifically, the project s scientists should be communicating with the customer s scientists, since they speak the same language. 

---