by Tibor Hartel

While drinking the morning coffee I read an interesting post in the science blog of The Guardian by Ehsan Masood. I paste here the last paragraph of that post:

‘Progress in science needs researchers who are not afraid – or who are encouraged and rewarded – to ask awkward and difficult questions of theory and of new data. It is easier to question mainstream views if you are independently wealthy, as many scientists in previous ages tended to be. But I wonder how many of us would do so if we were employed by the state and our career progression depended on the validation of our peers?’

Is this true for modern time ecology researchers? I would say a humble yes. For example, today the PhD students need to complete their dissertation in 3 years – and they work within funded projects (of 3-5 years). Is this…