Post #1728965

2026-04-27 22:15 UTC

I had an interesting discussion over beer with a colleague last week, we’re both seismologists. The topic was, given the hostility toward science of the current regime and the difficulty of obtaining funding, how do we keep the science alive and moving forward? One idea we had is to encourage and support independent scientists, who in a less-enlightened age would have been called “gentlemen scientists.” The concept would be to give interested people of independent means (e.g., retired) and STEM backgrounds the opportunity to do science in collaboration with scientists on campus. There would be shared office space, and independent scientists could at their discretion spend time on campus and meet with scientists and technicians to evaluate ideas and design experiments. They would presumably collaborate with full-time scientists to learn the current state of the science and the ins and outs of peer review and publishing. As an example, much of seismology is signal processing; anyone with a background in signal processing (EE degree?) and even a rudimentary ability to code could produce real, useful science. I would welcome any commentary here. Do you think people would be interested? If so, how do we reach them and invite them to participate? Also: I’m not in love with the designation “independent scientist”, do you have suggestions for something better? #Science

Replies (9)

@intrepidhero@vmst.io 2026-04-27 22:23

@wanderinghermit@mindly.social citizen scientist? Man, if I was in a different stage of life I'd love to help out.

Open ##1728964
@CheapPontoon@beige.party 2026-04-27 22:21

@wanderinghermit@mindly.social independent, but willing to accept funding from….. ?

Open ##2430598
@ikluft@avgeek.social 2026-04-27 22:42

@wanderinghermit@mindly.social I've usually heard the terms "citizen scientists" or "amateur scientists". Possible bias: some research of mine got a mention in Discover Magazine in an article years ago. https://www.discovermagazine.com/the-amateur-scientists-who-might-cure-cancerfrom-their-basements-16499

Open ##2430605
@Robotistry@fediscience.org 2026-04-28 01:22

@wanderinghermit@mindly.social I retired due to disability this year and am attempting to follow this model. I have university researchers to collaborate with. The key (for me, at least, working on the theoretical side of robotics) is establishing an official (if unpaid) affiliation with a university, so as to have library privileges. I'm still working out whether I'm going to be able to afford conference fees and APCs and am still at the "can you email me a copy of this paper?" stage of library access.

Open ##2430606
@rythur@mastodon.social 2026-04-28 03:07

@wanderinghermit@mindly.social "Free-Agent Scientist" Shortened: "Free-Agents" Idea comes mathjobs.org verbiage I've experienced.

Open ##2430608
@sunumbral@beige.party 2026-04-28 03:47

@wanderinghermit@mindly.social Community scientist?

Open ##2430610
@teledyn@mstdn.ca 2026-04-28 04:04

@wanderinghermit@mindly.social to take a lead from religion, I nominate "lay scientist" as in "one who follows the methodology best they can, considering their day-job", not an authority, but a viable teacher 😊

Open ##2430611
@doctormo@floss.social 2026-04-28 04:12

@wanderinghermit@mindly.social Scientish? "Those who pay choose" so such a system must be designed to resist the overwhelming power of money from a single source. Diversify the income so you do not end up with a monopsony.

Open ##2430612
@tiProton@social.sciences.re 2026-04-28 07:57

@wanderinghermit@mindly.social amateur/maven scientists ? But this also bring a negative connotation. What you propose is a bit similar to some practices done in astronomy.

Open ##2430614