Article source: Nature
Nature 445, 950 (February 2007) doi:10.1038/nj7130-950a
The inside track from academia and industry: Crossing boundaries, hitting barriers
Adina Paytan1 and Mary Lou Zoback2
Adina Paytan is in the Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences at Stanford University, California.
Mary Lou Zoback is vice-president of earthquake risk applications at Risk Management Solutions in Newark, California.
To discuss this article, contact the editor
Adina Payton
Mary Lou Zoback
The scientific community recognizes the importance of interdisciplinary research. But institutions have not yet caught up with ways to reward good examples of it. In fact, interdisciplinary research in academia often faces discouraging barriers. Working across disciplines requires not only depth of knowledge but also a holistic understanding of complex systems. But the tenure system largely favours narrowly focused research in subdisciplines.
Much progress in our field, Earth sciences, has emerged from working across several disciplines. Combining medicine and geophysics is resulting in new medical devices. Mixing meteorology and biology provides new ways of looking at the spread of infectious disease. And blending oceanography and atmospheric science leads to a better understanding of the causes and consequences of global warming. We need to continue and expand these multidimensional approaches to benefit humanity and improve the prediction of climate and natural hazards, and to provide science-based solutions that support human well-being and the sustainable use of our resources.
The 2006 US National Academies report Rising Above the Gathering Storm: Energizing and Employing America for a Brighter Economic Future emphasizes the value of interdisciplinary research, noting that many significant scientific and engineering advances cut across several disciplines.
Academia has taken some steps to embrace interdisciplinary research. The Harvard University Center for the Environment programme recognizes that the most pressing problems facing the environment are complex and often require collaborative investigation by scholars versed in different disciplines. Similarly, the new Woods Institute for the Environment at Stanford University is an interdisciplinary hub for research, teaching and problem-solving that draws on the experience and expertise of faculty members and students from all seven schools at Stanford University.
But the university reward system has generally not kept pace with this approach. Most universities still rely on a tenure process that judges excellence and leadership in a narrowly defined disciplinary (or subdisciplinary) field.
Indeed, a 2004 National Academies report, Facilitating Interdisciplinary Research, lists "promotion criteria" as the top impediment to interdisciplinary research, based on separate rankings by both scientists and university provosts. "An interdisciplinary faculty member seeking tenure often faces two challenges beyond those faced by members working in a single discipline," says the report. "First, interdisciplinary research done by the candidate may not be valued sufficiently to compensate for lower output of disciplinary research ... Second, it can be difficult to find reviewers who understand the overall quality of the work, which usually lies outside the expertise of people on the tenure evaluation committee."
The committee recommended that institutions provide more flexibility in promotion and tenure procedures, recognizing that the contributions of someone in interdisciplinary research may need to be evaluated differently from those of someone in a single-discipline project. Indeed, if universities want to attract and retain innovative young researchers and foster novel approaches to science, they should support infrastructure, research needs and opportunities for integrative research. They also need to find different ways of rewarding and evaluating scientists who are engaged in such research.
If universities want to attract innovative young researchers, they should support integrative research.
We advocate several steps towards proper recognition of the contributions of interdisciplinary researchers. They include establishing interdisciplinary review committees to evaluate faculty members who are conducting such research, with at least one of the committee members actively doing interdisciplinary work themselves. We'd like to see tenure committees solicit input from scientists personally familiar with the candidate's work — people who can assess individual contributions to collaborative projects and roles in facilitating the research. Letters to external referees should be formulated to emphasize the transdisciplinary nature of the candidate's work and not require that the candidate be identified as or compared with an expert in one specific field. Interdisciplinary researchers could also have more time to reach tenure milestones, as their research can be more time-consuming to coordinate, conduct and synthesize.
Interdisciplinary research and education are inspired by the drive to provide effective solutions to complex questions. A central problem it faces is in finding ways to remove those barriers.
Thursday, February 22, 2007
Thursday, February 15, 2007
Six Important Things to Consider before chosing a major
from http://www.psu.edu/dus/md/mdfiveq.htm
Before using MAJOR DECISIONS to start searching for information, first think about your personal characteristics (interests, abilities, values, personality, and motivations) and about the realities you might face in deciding on a major. Then keep these six important considerations in mind as you sort through and evaluate the information you collect.
The questions listed under each consideration below are just some examples to get you started; you should be able to think of others.
1. Your Interests
Think about the kinds of things that you enjoy. Here are a few questions to get you started.
What activities do you like to participate in just for fun?
What do you like to watch on TV?
What topics do you enjoy reading or talking about?
What courses did you like most in high school?
When you fantasize about a career, what do you think you would enjoy doing or being?
What other things are you interested in?
What kinds of activities are you not interested in, and why?
Don't underestimate how important your interests can be when choosing a major. Imagine not being interested in a subject and studying it in depth for four years or more. Would you be interested in the course work required in a particular major?
2. Your Abilities
Here are a few sample questions to help you think about your abilities (the things you're good at).
How do your SAT scores and high school grades compare to those of other students?
How have others judged your abilities in the past?
Have you won academic honors, or awards for excellence in art, music, debate, sports, or other performance areas?
Do you seem to have a natural talent for helping other people, working with numbers, influencing others, solving problems, using your hands, organizing events, or other areas?
How strong are your study skills?
What other abilities do you have?
Do you have the ability to be successful in the course work required in a particular major?
3. Your Values
Think about what's really important to you—the values and principles that guide your life. How would you answer these questions?
Are your decisions and choices in life influenced by certain religious, spiritual, philosophical, moral, or ethical beliefs and teachings?
Where do you stand politically on various issues?
How important is it for you to help others or serve your community?
Is making a lot of money really important to you? Or how about just a “comfortable” living?
Would you rather save the rain forests or cut them down? Why?
Would it be easy for you to cheat on an exam because you think it's “no big deal”?
When faced with a moral dilemma, do you always “do the right thing,” even if it's difficult?
Could you work in a job that promotes unethical, illegal, immoral, or unhealthy activities?
What place does a family have in your future?
What other things are really important to you?
How would you summarize your personal values?
How would you feel if your values didn't match with a particular major or career you were considering?
4. Your Personality
Think about your emotions, behaviors, and ways of thinking. Here are some questions to help you assess your personality traits.
Are you outgoing—or shy?
Are you assertive—or passive?
Do you seek out excitement—or peace and quiet?
Are you open to new experiences or do you avoid them?
Are you chronically late, or are you always on time?
Are you anxious and nervous—or really laid-back?
Do you act impulsively or do you take your time to make decisions?
Are you patient and understanding or do you lose your temper easily?
Do you like being the center of attention or blending in with the crowd?
How else would you describe your personality?
If you're shy and introverted, how would you feel about having to work in groups or give a speech to a roomful of people? If you're impatient, would you be able to work with young children? If you like to take your time to make decisions, how would you react to tight deadlines?
Personality traits may not be easy to change. Does your personality match with the majors/careers you are considering?
5. Your Motivations
Ask yourself what's motivating you to consider certain majors.
Are you motivated mostly by your interests, your abilities, your values, or something else?
Are outside pressures from family, friends, or the job market influencing your decisions?
Are you considering a major just because you think it will be easy?
Are you thinking about choosing a major because somebody else said you “should”?
Are you considering only majors that you think will lead to good jobs and a lot of money?
What other things are motivating you?
Would your motivation be strong enough to allow you to succeed in a major even if other factors seemed to point away from that major?
6. Realities
Consider what situations in your life may have a strong and overriding influence on your choice of major.
Do your interests, abilities, values, personality, and motivations conflict with each other or are they in agreement? (Sometimes students are very interested in a major but find that they don't have the abilities to handle the required courses. On the other hand, some students have strong abilities in a particular area but don't have any real interest in studying that topic. And sometimes students have both interests and abilities in a major but aren't willing to risk four or more years of time and money if it seems unlikely they'll find a job in that area.)
Will you be able to meet entrance-to-major requirements on time, especially for majors with administrative enrollment controls?
How much extra time will it take you to graduate if you've already completed a lot of credits that can't be applied to the major you choose?
Does Penn State offer the major(s) you're interested in, or would you have to transfer to another school?
Can you afford to pay for four or five years of college, or only two years?
What other realities are you facing?
Consider these and other outside factors that may make a significant difference to you. Is your choice of major a realistic one?
Before using MAJOR DECISIONS to start searching for information, first think about your personal characteristics (interests, abilities, values, personality, and motivations) and about the realities you might face in deciding on a major. Then keep these six important considerations in mind as you sort through and evaluate the information you collect.
The questions listed under each consideration below are just some examples to get you started; you should be able to think of others.
1. Your Interests
Think about the kinds of things that you enjoy. Here are a few questions to get you started.
What activities do you like to participate in just for fun?
What do you like to watch on TV?
What topics do you enjoy reading or talking about?
What courses did you like most in high school?
When you fantasize about a career, what do you think you would enjoy doing or being?
What other things are you interested in?
What kinds of activities are you not interested in, and why?
Don't underestimate how important your interests can be when choosing a major. Imagine not being interested in a subject and studying it in depth for four years or more. Would you be interested in the course work required in a particular major?
2. Your Abilities
Here are a few sample questions to help you think about your abilities (the things you're good at).
How do your SAT scores and high school grades compare to those of other students?
How have others judged your abilities in the past?
Have you won academic honors, or awards for excellence in art, music, debate, sports, or other performance areas?
Do you seem to have a natural talent for helping other people, working with numbers, influencing others, solving problems, using your hands, organizing events, or other areas?
How strong are your study skills?
What other abilities do you have?
Do you have the ability to be successful in the course work required in a particular major?
3. Your Values
Think about what's really important to you—the values and principles that guide your life. How would you answer these questions?
Are your decisions and choices in life influenced by certain religious, spiritual, philosophical, moral, or ethical beliefs and teachings?
Where do you stand politically on various issues?
How important is it for you to help others or serve your community?
Is making a lot of money really important to you? Or how about just a “comfortable” living?
Would you rather save the rain forests or cut them down? Why?
Would it be easy for you to cheat on an exam because you think it's “no big deal”?
When faced with a moral dilemma, do you always “do the right thing,” even if it's difficult?
Could you work in a job that promotes unethical, illegal, immoral, or unhealthy activities?
What place does a family have in your future?
What other things are really important to you?
How would you summarize your personal values?
How would you feel if your values didn't match with a particular major or career you were considering?
4. Your Personality
Think about your emotions, behaviors, and ways of thinking. Here are some questions to help you assess your personality traits.
Are you outgoing—or shy?
Are you assertive—or passive?
Do you seek out excitement—or peace and quiet?
Are you open to new experiences or do you avoid them?
Are you chronically late, or are you always on time?
Are you anxious and nervous—or really laid-back?
Do you act impulsively or do you take your time to make decisions?
Are you patient and understanding or do you lose your temper easily?
Do you like being the center of attention or blending in with the crowd?
How else would you describe your personality?
If you're shy and introverted, how would you feel about having to work in groups or give a speech to a roomful of people? If you're impatient, would you be able to work with young children? If you like to take your time to make decisions, how would you react to tight deadlines?
Personality traits may not be easy to change. Does your personality match with the majors/careers you are considering?
5. Your Motivations
Ask yourself what's motivating you to consider certain majors.
Are you motivated mostly by your interests, your abilities, your values, or something else?
Are outside pressures from family, friends, or the job market influencing your decisions?
Are you considering a major just because you think it will be easy?
Are you thinking about choosing a major because somebody else said you “should”?
Are you considering only majors that you think will lead to good jobs and a lot of money?
What other things are motivating you?
Would your motivation be strong enough to allow you to succeed in a major even if other factors seemed to point away from that major?
6. Realities
Consider what situations in your life may have a strong and overriding influence on your choice of major.
Do your interests, abilities, values, personality, and motivations conflict with each other or are they in agreement? (Sometimes students are very interested in a major but find that they don't have the abilities to handle the required courses. On the other hand, some students have strong abilities in a particular area but don't have any real interest in studying that topic. And sometimes students have both interests and abilities in a major but aren't willing to risk four or more years of time and money if it seems unlikely they'll find a job in that area.)
Will you be able to meet entrance-to-major requirements on time, especially for majors with administrative enrollment controls?
How much extra time will it take you to graduate if you've already completed a lot of credits that can't be applied to the major you choose?
Does Penn State offer the major(s) you're interested in, or would you have to transfer to another school?
Can you afford to pay for four or five years of college, or only two years?
What other realities are you facing?
Consider these and other outside factors that may make a significant difference to you. Is your choice of major a realistic one?
Thursday, February 8, 2007
人生值得珍藏的80句zzz
【 以下文字转载自 NJUExpress 讨论区 】
【 原文由 861021 所发表 】
01.每天告诉自己一次，『我真的很不错』。
02.生气是拿别人做错的事来惩罚自己。
03.生活中若没有朋友，就像生活中没有阳光一样。
04.明天的希望，让我们忘了今天的痛苦。
05.生活若剥去理想、梦想、幻想，那生命便只是一堆空架子。
06.发光并非太阳的专利，你也可以发光。
07.愚者用肉体监视心灵，智者用心灵监视肉体。
08.获致幸福的不二法门是珍视你所拥有的、遗忘你所没有的。
09.贪婪是最真实的贫穷，满足是最真实的财富。
10.你可以用爱得到全世界，你也可以用恨失去全世界。
11.人的价值，在遭受诱惑的一瞬间被决定。
12.年轻是我们唯一拥有权利去编织梦想的时光。
13.青春一经典当即永不再赎。
14.没有了爱的语言，所有的文字都是乏味的。
15.真正的爱，应该超越生命的长度、心灵的宽度、灵魂的深度。
16.爱的力量大到可以使人忘记一切，却又小到连一粒嫉妒的沙石也不能容纳。
17.当一个人真正觉悟的一刻，他放弃追寻外在世界的财富，而开始追寻他内心世界的真正
财富。
18.只要有信心，人永远不会挫败。
19.不论你在什麽时候开始，重要的是开始之後就不要停止。
20.不论你在什麽时候结束，重要的是结束之後就不要悔恨。
21.人若软弱就是自己最大的敌人。
22.人若勇敢就是自己最好的朋友。
23.『不可能』只存在於蠢人的字典里。
24.抱最大的希望，为最大的努力，做最坏的打算。
25.家！甜蜜的家！天下最美好的莫过於家。
26.游手好闲会使人心智生锈。
27.每一件事都要用多方面的角度来看它。
28.有理想在的地方，地狱就是天堂。
29.有希望在的地方，痛苦也成欢乐。
30.所有的胜利，与征服自己的胜利比起来，都是微不足道。
31.所有的失败，与失去自己的失败比起来，更是微不足道。
32.上帝从不埋怨人们的愚昧，人们却埋怨上帝的不公平。
33.美好的生命应该充满期待、惊喜和感激。
34.世上最累人的事，莫过於虚伪的过日子。
35.觉得自己做得到和做不到，其实只在一念之间。
36.第一个青春是上帝给的；第二个的青春是靠自己努力的。
37.少一点预设的期待，那份对人的关怀会更自在。
38.思想如钻子，必须集中在一点钻下去才有力量。
39.人只要不失去方向，就不会失去自己。
40.如果你曾歌颂黎明，那麽也请你拥抱黑夜。
41.问候不一定要慎重其事，但一定要真诚感人。
42.人生重要的不是所站的位置，而是所朝的方向。
43.当你能飞的时候就不要放弃飞。
44.当你能梦的时候就不要放弃梦。
45.当你能爱的时候就不要放弃爱。
46.生命太过短暂，今天放弃了明天不一定能得到。
47.天才是百分之一的灵感加上百分之九十九的努力。
48.人总是珍惜未得到的，而遗忘了所拥有的。
49.快乐要懂得分享，才能加倍的快乐。
50.自己要先看得起自己，别人才会看得起你。
51.一个今天胜过两个明天。
52.要铭记在心；每天都是一年中最美好的日子。
53.乐观者在灾祸中看到机会；悲观者在机会中看到灾祸。
54.有勇气并不表示恐惧不存在，而是敢面对恐惧、克服恐惧。
55.肯承认错误则错已改了一半。
56.明天是世上增值最快的一块土地，因它充满了希望。
57.理想的路总是为有信心的人预备著。
58.所有欺骗中，自欺是最为严重的。
59.人生最大的错误是不断担心会犯错。
60.把你的脸迎向阳光，那就不会有阴影。
61.经验是由痛苦中粹取出来的。
62.用最少的悔恨面对过去。
63.用最少的浪费面对现在。
64.用最多的梦面对未来。
65.快乐不是因为拥有的多而是计较的少。
66.你的选择是做或不做，但不做就永远不会有机会。
67.如你想要拥有完美无暇的友谊，可能一辈子找不到朋友。
68.不如意的时候不要尽往悲伤里钻，想想有笑声的日子吧。
69.把自己当傻瓜，不懂就问，你会学的更多。
70.要纠正别人之前，先反省自己有没有犯错。
71.因害怕失败而不敢放手一搏，永远不会成功。
72.要克服生活的焦虑和沮丧，得先学会做自己的主人。
73.你不能左右天气，但你能转变你的心情。
74.孤单寂寞与被遗弃感是最可怕的贫穷。
75.想像力比知识更重要。
76.漫无目的的生活就像出海航行而没有指南针。
77.好好扮演自己的角色，做自己该做的事。
78.一切伟大的行动和思想，都有一个微不足道的开始。
79.得意时应善待他人，因为你失意时会需要他们。
80.学做任何事得按部就班，急不得。
--
无忧无虑 无欲无求 无怨无仇 无悲无苦 无边无际
无罣无碍 无咎无誉 无拘无束 无靠无依 无了无休
无情无绪 无穷无尽 无拳无勇 无声无息 无声无臭
无适无莫 无思无虑 无形无影 无影无踪 无缘无故
※ 来源:．南京大学小百合站 http://bbs.nju.edu.cn [FROM: 172.16.113.142]
※ 修改:．861021 於 Jan 21 17:38:10 2007 修改本文．[FROM: 172.16.113.142]
--
※ 来源:．南京大学小百合站 http://bbs.nju.edu.cn [FROM: 210.28.133.144]
【 原文由 861021 所发表 】
01.每天告诉自己一次，『我真的很不错』。
02.生气是拿别人做错的事来惩罚自己。
03.生活中若没有朋友，就像生活中没有阳光一样。
04.明天的希望，让我们忘了今天的痛苦。
05.生活若剥去理想、梦想、幻想，那生命便只是一堆空架子。
06.发光并非太阳的专利，你也可以发光。
07.愚者用肉体监视心灵，智者用心灵监视肉体。
08.获致幸福的不二法门是珍视你所拥有的、遗忘你所没有的。
09.贪婪是最真实的贫穷，满足是最真实的财富。
10.你可以用爱得到全世界，你也可以用恨失去全世界。
11.人的价值，在遭受诱惑的一瞬间被决定。
12.年轻是我们唯一拥有权利去编织梦想的时光。
13.青春一经典当即永不再赎。
14.没有了爱的语言，所有的文字都是乏味的。
15.真正的爱，应该超越生命的长度、心灵的宽度、灵魂的深度。
16.爱的力量大到可以使人忘记一切，却又小到连一粒嫉妒的沙石也不能容纳。
17.当一个人真正觉悟的一刻，他放弃追寻外在世界的财富，而开始追寻他内心世界的真正
财富。
18.只要有信心，人永远不会挫败。
19.不论你在什麽时候开始，重要的是开始之後就不要停止。
20.不论你在什麽时候结束，重要的是结束之後就不要悔恨。
21.人若软弱就是自己最大的敌人。
22.人若勇敢就是自己最好的朋友。
23.『不可能』只存在於蠢人的字典里。
24.抱最大的希望，为最大的努力，做最坏的打算。
25.家！甜蜜的家！天下最美好的莫过於家。
26.游手好闲会使人心智生锈。
27.每一件事都要用多方面的角度来看它。
28.有理想在的地方，地狱就是天堂。
29.有希望在的地方，痛苦也成欢乐。
30.所有的胜利，与征服自己的胜利比起来，都是微不足道。
31.所有的失败，与失去自己的失败比起来，更是微不足道。
32.上帝从不埋怨人们的愚昧，人们却埋怨上帝的不公平。
33.美好的生命应该充满期待、惊喜和感激。
34.世上最累人的事，莫过於虚伪的过日子。
35.觉得自己做得到和做不到，其实只在一念之间。
36.第一个青春是上帝给的；第二个的青春是靠自己努力的。
37.少一点预设的期待，那份对人的关怀会更自在。
38.思想如钻子，必须集中在一点钻下去才有力量。
39.人只要不失去方向，就不会失去自己。
40.如果你曾歌颂黎明，那麽也请你拥抱黑夜。
41.问候不一定要慎重其事，但一定要真诚感人。
42.人生重要的不是所站的位置，而是所朝的方向。
43.当你能飞的时候就不要放弃飞。
44.当你能梦的时候就不要放弃梦。
45.当你能爱的时候就不要放弃爱。
46.生命太过短暂，今天放弃了明天不一定能得到。
47.天才是百分之一的灵感加上百分之九十九的努力。
48.人总是珍惜未得到的，而遗忘了所拥有的。
49.快乐要懂得分享，才能加倍的快乐。
50.自己要先看得起自己，别人才会看得起你。
51.一个今天胜过两个明天。
52.要铭记在心；每天都是一年中最美好的日子。
53.乐观者在灾祸中看到机会；悲观者在机会中看到灾祸。
54.有勇气并不表示恐惧不存在，而是敢面对恐惧、克服恐惧。
55.肯承认错误则错已改了一半。
56.明天是世上增值最快的一块土地，因它充满了希望。
57.理想的路总是为有信心的人预备著。
58.所有欺骗中，自欺是最为严重的。
59.人生最大的错误是不断担心会犯错。
60.把你的脸迎向阳光，那就不会有阴影。
61.经验是由痛苦中粹取出来的。
62.用最少的悔恨面对过去。
63.用最少的浪费面对现在。
64.用最多的梦面对未来。
65.快乐不是因为拥有的多而是计较的少。
66.你的选择是做或不做，但不做就永远不会有机会。
67.如你想要拥有完美无暇的友谊，可能一辈子找不到朋友。
68.不如意的时候不要尽往悲伤里钻，想想有笑声的日子吧。
69.把自己当傻瓜，不懂就问，你会学的更多。
70.要纠正别人之前，先反省自己有没有犯错。
71.因害怕失败而不敢放手一搏，永远不会成功。
72.要克服生活的焦虑和沮丧，得先学会做自己的主人。
73.你不能左右天气，但你能转变你的心情。
74.孤单寂寞与被遗弃感是最可怕的贫穷。
75.想像力比知识更重要。
76.漫无目的的生活就像出海航行而没有指南针。
77.好好扮演自己的角色，做自己该做的事。
78.一切伟大的行动和思想，都有一个微不足道的开始。
79.得意时应善待他人，因为你失意时会需要他们。
80.学做任何事得按部就班，急不得。
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无忧无虑 无欲无求 无怨无仇 无悲无苦 无边无际
无罣无碍 无咎无誉 无拘无束 无靠无依 无了无休
无情无绪 无穷无尽 无拳无勇 无声无息 无声无臭
无适无莫 无思无虑 无形无影 无影无踪 无缘无故
※ 来源:．南京大学小百合站 http://bbs.nju.edu.cn [FROM: 172.16.113.142]
※ 修改:．861021 於 Jan 21 17:38:10 2007 修改本文．[FROM: 172.16.113.142]
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※ 来源:．南京大学小百合站 http://bbs.nju.edu.cn [FROM: 210.28.133.144]
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