Over 15 years of ocean science and conservation online
This summer, the American Elasmobranch Society held a memorial symposium for beloved scientist Dr. Jeff Carrier, and I was asked to speak about Jeff’s work at Seacamp. By request, here’s the text of my remarks, along with some photos. Many AES members worked with Jeff Carrier for longer than I did. But I bet that … Read More “Sharks, science, and summer camp: Jeff Carrier’s underappreciated Seacamp legacy” »
Are you in conservation or academia and have noticed these things happening? Somehow, those concerns never seem to involve the actual quality of their work. Welcome to the wonderful world of “Tall Poppy Syndrome”, where the flower that stands out above the others must be cut down. It is the peculiar phenomenon in which someone … Read More “Toxic workplaces: the “tall poppy” problem in conservation and academia” »
Let’s be honest: if you are working in conservation, you have probably stared down a peer-review nightmare that made you want to throw your laptop into ocean. We’ve all been told the same myth since undergrad: do the science; write the paper; pass the peer-review gauntlet; and magically you’ve saved the planet. The peer-reviewed paper … Read More “Is Academic Publishing is breaking conservation science?” »
One thing the latest Trump regime has shown is which university administrators actually care about academic freedom, the pursuit of science, and diversity and equity, and which were just paying lip service for the sake of grant money. For years, universities have proudly proclaimed their commitment to scientific integrity, inclusion, open inquiry, and the idea … Read More “When universities puts $$$ before science and ethics” »
Let’s be honest. Most of us got into conservation science because we wanted to save something. We envisioned conducting science that would be serving as a shield, protecting a fragile ecosystem or an endangered species from the relentless march of human expansion. We expected long hours, muddy boots, and a few mosquito bites. What we … Read More “The “Conservation Paywall”: why saving the planet has become a luxury sport” »
This week is National Oceans week. One of the main events in Washington DC is Capitol Hill Ocean Week (or CHOW). This two-day event, sponsored by the U.S. Government, brought policymakers, scientists, and conservationists together for policy discussions, networking, and raising awareness about ocean issues. I went to the event two years ago, and at … Read More “Oceans week 2026 – a lost hope” »
There’s a new specter haunting environmental governance, and it doesn’t rattle ghostly chains, it’s its generating phantom science. Recently, I was reading a government report trying to find scientific justifications for environmental actions when I ran into some citations that looked interesting. So, I tried to look them up. Despite a full, official looking citation … Read More “Phantom science – how “AI slop” is making environmental policy” »
By outlining my role and expectations as a committee member, my goal is to help make sure that we have a productive professional relationship, and that we avoid any conflict stemming from not being on the same page about these important matters. This document is a work in progress and may be edited. And this … Read More “I can serve on your graduate thesis committee. Here’s what you can expect of me, and what I expect in return.” »
The world of scientific writing and pubilshing is complex and confusing, and it can be hard for early career scientists to master. But don’t worry! I am an experienced and award-winning scientific writer, reviewer, editor, and writing instructor, and I’m here to help! I am offering a free online crash course in scientific writing and … Read More “I’m offering a free online crash course in scientific writing and publishing. Here’s how to join!” »
You asked us questions about marine biology careers, and our panel of experts answered them! In April, I solicited your questions about careers in marine biology, and we received nearly 100 questions! In this post, I’ve answered as many of them as I can, along with a panel of experts. Some questions have been rephrased … Read More “Marine Biology Career Advice” »
