Debate erupts over paper claiming academia selects against scientific risk-taking
anshulkundaje · x · 2026-09-08
A new perspective paper argues academia is structurally built to select against creativity, intellectual risk-taking and bold ideas — hitting young scientists hardest.
Postdoc Richard She pushed back: he enjoyed wide freedom to design his own project with full PI funding, and now has 7 years of runway plus his earlier years — 10-15 years total to take a shot at something great. He cites Brian Kobilka giving up HHMI funding to crystallize GPCRs (running out of money twice and offering to cut his own salary) and Shinya Yamanaka as inspiring risk-takers, calling the paper a committee-assembled litany of complaints.
Related event: Nature Subjournal Essay: Academia Systematically Selects Against Creativity(4 posts)→
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