For the past year, I have been writing a column once a month in the Irish Times, on the “Life Science” page. It was daunting to be told I could write on whatever topic I wanted (as long as it was something to with science, the environment, related policy, current issues), and surprisingly tricky to come up with a new angle each month. After doing it for a year, I decided to call it a day – there are just too many other demands on my time. I have thoroughly enjoyed the experience though, and am honoured and grateful to have had the chance to do this. It’s a very different kind of writing to the usual scientific style, and there was quite a learning curve. Luckily, I had expert help from Hannah Hamilton (Executive Co-ordinator of the IFNC, currently registered for a higher research degree in my group), to whom I am extremely grateful (for ideas, editing, redrafting, ghost-writing).
I was asked recently for an archive of articles, and so have compiled links to them all below.
- Apr 2017 Figuring out the challenges of being a scientist and a mum http://www.irishtimes.com/news/science/figuring-out-the-challenges-of-being-a-scientist-and-a-mum-1.3045076?utm_content=sf-man
- May 2017 21st century childhood needs to reconnect with nature https://www.irishtimes.com/news/science/21st-century-childhood-needs-to-reconnect-with-nature-1.3091031
- Jun 2017 To bee or not to bee https://www.irishtimes.com/news/science/to-bee-or-not-to-bee-1.3118292
- Jul 2017 Why farmers and ecologists should be friends https://www.irishtimes.com/news/science/why-farmers-and-ecologists-should-be-friends-1.3159150
- Aug 2017 People and nature need each other https://www.irishtimes.com/news/science/people-and-nature-need-each-other-1.3193250
- Sept 2017 For a career in science you need passion and enjoy what you do https://www.irishtimes.com/news/science/for-a-career-in-science-you-need-passion-and-enjoy-what-you-do-1.3229153
- Oct 2017 Halloween is a load of rubbish https://www.irishtimes.com/news/science/halloween-is-a-load-of-rubbish-1.3265634
- Nov 2017 Bugs can be beautiful – the not so ugly truth https://www.irishtimes.com/news/science/bugs-can-be-beautiful-the-not-so-ugly-truth-1.3294379?mode=amp
- Dec 2017 Traditions of the festive season that are worth preserving https://www.irishtimes.com/news/science/the-traditions-of-the-festive-season-that-are-worth-preserving-1.3332349
- Jan 2017 New year’s resolution for the environment – reduce activity https://www.irishtimes.com/news/science/a-new-year-s-resolution-for-the-environment-reduce-activity-1.3360501
- Feb 2017 Show me the evidence https://www.irishtimes.com/news/science/show-me-the-evidence-1.3397457
- Mar 2017 Could a paradise city ever come about https://www.irishtimes.com/news/science/could-a-paradise-city-ever-come-about-1.3433783
- Apr 2017 Technology is no replacement for nature https://www.irishtimes.com/news/science/technology-is-no-replacement-for-nature-1.3466933
Jane Stout is Professor in Botany, at Trinity College Dublin.
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