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Merlin Crossley

Articles by Merlin Crossley

Storm rain clouds above house roof in Australia, superimposed with scientists using microscopes. To illustrate Australia’s blue research skies clouding over.

Australia’s blue research skies are clouding over

Last month, the Australian Academy of Science condemned the country’s ongoing review of research for ignoring a long-term funding decline that has left basic research at ‘breaking point’. Was that a rhetorical overstatement or a sober statement of fact? Five researchers offer their own perspectives

By Oliver A. H. Jones
25 November
Concept illustration looking at a book with lock holes inside, one man is dragging a large key on a rope to illustrate Is mentoring the elixir of academic life?

Is mentoring the elixir of academic life?

The importance of senior faculty advising junior colleagues on their career trajectories is increasingly emphasised. But is guidance – and the giving of it – being fairly shared? Should mentoring schemes be formalised? And are they really enough? Seven academics have their say

By Michael Roth
9 May
Sunlight shining through black cloud creating silver lining, East Yorkshire, UK

Silver linings: The consolations of a terrible year

The past 12 months will live long in the memory, for all the wrong reasons. But as 2020 nears its end amid fairy lights and optimism about vaccines, six academics tell us the bright spots they managed to find amid the gloom – from human connections to elasticated waistbands

By Nicholas Till
22 December
model

Failing better: How to live with academic rejection

Academics’ deep identification with their work means that the failure of a book proposal, grant application or promotion request can cut deeply. But in a competitive profession, such knock-backs are inevitable. Here, six academics recall their most traumatic rejection â€“ and how they got over it

By Jessica Welburn Paige
31 October