• Question: What do you enjoy most about science?

    Asked by chiarna to Peter, Mark, Katharine, Jony, Ben on 16 Nov 2011. This question was also asked by leannemari, annabelsusan, zeeshan, tarax, inesfontes, mollieskye, begua004, rowla009, thomr023, carlieessex, georgiaxx12, emilypalmer, tatexoxoxo, iamabadman, lucytruten, bethanyleigh, sportysmithy98, hazzza, katiepycock, powh123.
    • Photo: Ben Still

      Ben Still answered on 14 Nov 2011:

      I love figuring out problems, especially when they answer big important questions. In research you are the first person to learn something new about Nature which makes you feel privileged.

      I also enjoy meeting many different people from everywhere and getting to travel all over the world.

    • Photo: Katharine Schofield

      Katharine Schofield answered on 14 Nov 2011:

      Nowadays I really enjoy being in contact with all the most exciting research that’s going on in particle physics, astronomy and nuclear physics. My job now is on the funding side – I’m not an active researcher anymore – so I need to know a bit about a whole range of stuff, and importantly have lots of contacts like Jony, Ben, Peter and Mark to make sure I know who to go to when we need expert advice.

    • Photo: Peter Williams

      Peter Williams answered on 14 Nov 2011:

      i agree with ben, but it’s also about working together with a group of like-minded people.
      at it’s best, science is meritocratic – a good idea is a good idea, no matter who it comes from. most of the time this is how it is. even a lowly phd student will get a fair hearing from the top professors.

    • Photo: Mark Basham

      Mark Basham answered on 14 Nov 2011:

      Hi All,

      Just like Katherine for me the best thing is the varied people I get to meet. As we have lots of scientists who come to use Diamond, I get to help out Archaeologists, Surgeons, Physicists, Chemists, Biologists, Material Scientists … the list is nearly endless.
      A close second is the travel, and collaborations. I’m involved with several multi-national software projects, and so i generally have to visit various other facilities around the world.

    • Photo: Jony Hudson

      Jony Hudson answered on 16 Nov 2011:

      I think the two things I enjoy most are:

      1) Working with a team of really clever people. It’s so good to be able to have someone that you can discuss your ideas with.

      2) Getting to solve all sorts of problems and learn new skills.

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