The National Science Foundation and me

I was a principal investigator on three NSF grants. I served on six NSF grant review panels. 

During this period, the NSF applications had a section called “Broader Impact.” Included under this rubric was how the applicant would disseminate the research results to the rest of the world. But a critical part of success was explaining how your project would impact and advance communities underrepresented in science: women and ethnic minorities. 

I was fine with that, but in the age of Trump, the acceptable DEI appointments are mostly blondes and alcoholics. 

I interviewed to be a program officer at the NSF because I believed that the NSF reflected my inclusive views about how fundamental science should be pursued and supported. I made it to the penultimate stage but didn’t get the offer. With the benefit of hindsight, I’m glad they turned me down. My career and my pocketbook are better off.

In the Trump era, being politically correct is paramount. That’s not how this homie rolls.

https://talkingpointsmemo.com/news/to-keep-climate-science-alive-researchers-are-speaking-in-code?fbclid=IwY2xjawQ36HJleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeTY39VL-lQhRx2gRZAToDWUgCmpAebtKhkeAQAlyE0OponO2bfwjn7r5fJt8_aem_Snnjd06krhHcwEHeCk_udw

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