Meaningful Science is a space to discuss ideas between ourselves and science. Meaningful Science started as conversations between friends during graduate school. Over beers, we discussed ideas about the purpose of science, why are we in grad school, what are we doing. General topics all graduate students cover but we felt graduate school should offer a place to really delve into these topics. For example, discussing if scientists should be advocates or activist is complex with many intricacies that a few graduate students with the same viewpoint may miss. There has been considerable thought put into this idea and there should be a place to delve into the complexities of the topic. Likewise, the topic of meaning (what gives us meaning) is seldom discussed in graduate school. It can be a completely new idea to some students and extra information may be needed to break into the topic. That’s where Meaningful Science comes into play. Meaningful Science provides a space for graduate students to explore these ideas supported by background research and knowledgeable speakers. Meaningful Science serves to support each of its participants in promoting new ideas or practices to become a type of researcher the participant wants to be. Meaningful Science is an open conversation, but with a facilitator that can help guide students through activities with various topics and speakers that can provide deep insight into the topics. Meaningful Science is a place where graduate students can start conversations that delve into why they are at graduate school and where they may take their research.
The conversations of Meaningful Science are applicable to graduate school across academia. The project may have started at McGill University's Macdonald Campus but its conversations are not meant to happen in just one place. We at Meaningful Science would like to see other groups at other institutions host their own conversations. You are welcome to use our guidelines and previous research. The core idea is to host conversations graduate students want with support structures to enhance the conversation. We provide a framework to do that. You can use our framework and fill it with topics you feel are appropriate or use our provided content.
If you would like to join a Meaningful Science session, host your own or are just interested in the project; please contact us through the Contact form or on our Discussion board. For those interested in hosting or creating your own, unique Meaningful Science session, we will be posting our Facilitation Guide and Resources soon. In the mean time, feel free to contact us or our Partners for answers and aid.
Meaningful Science is not locked to certain topics and you may choose to have discussions on other topics. The core idea is to fully discuss ideas within science around meaning, respecting different perspectives and the societal impact of our research. As of January 2018, the Meaningful Science series at McGill University covers the following themes and topics:
Society and Community
1: Societal Challenges
Participants reflect on community and the concept of responsible citizenship. In discussing current societal challenges, participants examine different approaches to problem solving and the integration of humanities within science.
2: Responsible Research I
Participants discuss the concept of responsible research through real-world examples and are provided with tools to facilitate research responsibility.
3: Responsible Research II
Participants examine the difficulties and trade-offs involved in responsible research. They prepare for authentically responsible research by evaluating personal, academic, and societal expectations and paradigms.
Social Impact
4: Science Outreach
Participants confront the limits of science for supporting societal change and learn to embrace the importance of effective communication in the context of diverse perspectives, values, and worldviews.
5: Science Advocacy I
Participants explore situations in which scientists must go beyond conventional communication in order to make a positive impact as a science advocate.
6: Science Advocacy II
Participants put experiences into action and role-play a scenario where different types of scientists and multiple stakeholders from business, industry, law, and greater the community are tasked to solve an issue.
Values and World Views
7: World Perspectives and Narratives
Participants survey the worldviews that encompass concepts of identity, work, human nature, responsibility, and justice. They also examine how these worldviews inform scientific practice.
8: Personal Beliefs, Values, and Goals
Participants probe universal, societal, and individual values. They learn how to determine self-values and how to recognize the values of others.
9: Meaning
Participants reflect on the concept of meaning, and examine how they and others continually develop a sense of meaning in life and work.
Final Reflection
10: Reflection on Meaningful Science
Participants reflect upon key insights from the previous workshops, share impacts on their current and future research, and develop goals and actions for their science careers.
The conversations of Meaningful Science are applicable to graduate school across academia. The project may have started at McGill University's Macdonald Campus but its conversations are not meant to happen in just one place. We at Meaningful Science would like to see other groups at other institutions host their own conversations. You are welcome to use our guidelines and previous research. The core idea is to host conversations graduate students want with support structures to enhance the conversation. We provide a framework to do that. You can use our framework and fill it with topics you feel are appropriate or use our provided content.
If you would like to join a Meaningful Science session, host your own or are just interested in the project; please contact us through the Contact form or on our Discussion board. For those interested in hosting or creating your own, unique Meaningful Science session, we will be posting our Facilitation Guide and Resources soon. In the mean time, feel free to contact us or our Partners for answers and aid.
Meaningful Science is not locked to certain topics and you may choose to have discussions on other topics. The core idea is to fully discuss ideas within science around meaning, respecting different perspectives and the societal impact of our research. As of January 2018, the Meaningful Science series at McGill University covers the following themes and topics:
Society and Community
1: Societal Challenges
Participants reflect on community and the concept of responsible citizenship. In discussing current societal challenges, participants examine different approaches to problem solving and the integration of humanities within science.
2: Responsible Research I
Participants discuss the concept of responsible research through real-world examples and are provided with tools to facilitate research responsibility.
3: Responsible Research II
Participants examine the difficulties and trade-offs involved in responsible research. They prepare for authentically responsible research by evaluating personal, academic, and societal expectations and paradigms.
Social Impact
4: Science Outreach
Participants confront the limits of science for supporting societal change and learn to embrace the importance of effective communication in the context of diverse perspectives, values, and worldviews.
5: Science Advocacy I
Participants explore situations in which scientists must go beyond conventional communication in order to make a positive impact as a science advocate.
6: Science Advocacy II
Participants put experiences into action and role-play a scenario where different types of scientists and multiple stakeholders from business, industry, law, and greater the community are tasked to solve an issue.
Values and World Views
7: World Perspectives and Narratives
Participants survey the worldviews that encompass concepts of identity, work, human nature, responsibility, and justice. They also examine how these worldviews inform scientific practice.
8: Personal Beliefs, Values, and Goals
Participants probe universal, societal, and individual values. They learn how to determine self-values and how to recognize the values of others.
9: Meaning
Participants reflect on the concept of meaning, and examine how they and others continually develop a sense of meaning in life and work.
Final Reflection
10: Reflection on Meaningful Science
Participants reflect upon key insights from the previous workshops, share impacts on their current and future research, and develop goals and actions for their science careers.