AS research laboratory is not only a high altar of scientific ideals but also a breeding ground for a very different type of politics and a resultant hierarchical, unregulated battleground, writes Archana Jyoti
India ranks amongst the top five countries in the number of PhDs as well as scientific publications worldwide. But did you ever wonder what goes on inside a typical research lab? Ever thought about what the seemingly intellectual Professors and Ph.D. scholars do inside a research lab? Join author Shubha Vij as she takes you on an interesting journey inside scientific labs. The book, ‘Short of Science’ provides a rare and realistic glimpse into a researcher’s life. It brings out the hidden realities and frailties of those inside the sanctum sanctorum of the labs.
This is Shubha’s debut fiction novel, but she is well known in the scientific world with more than thirty publications to her credit including many in high-ranked international journals such as Nature, Nature Genetics and Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA. Using her vast experience and insider’s knowledge in various research laboratories over the years and across the globe, Shubha spins out a mix of science and non-science written in a highly palatable style. As the reader zips through the tastefully written chapters, it becomes evident that a research laboratory is not only a high altar of scientific ideals but also a breeding ground for a very different type of politics and a resultant hierarchical, unregulated battleground.
Sanyukta, the lead protagonist is a bright Ph.D. student harboring the usual stereotypes of research labs. Be it the commute to the campus or roaming around the bookstores and bhelpuri street in Delhi’s famous South Extension market or the daily challenges faced by the researchers, the author delivers a visual and emotional treat through her writing and keeps the reader involved. Other believable characters presented with a dash of satire are the conspiring instead of collaborating colleagues as well as the Ph.D. supervisor- an ambiguous and opportunistic professor who jumps to the front seat when it comes to taking the limelight.
The book also shines the spotlight on authorships, there are some widely known guidelines on giving credit in publications, however, these are oft ignored and unfair practices abound in the research world. This topic is deliberated on in one of the chapters where the Professor muses, ‘All the words that Tarun spoke were like letters of the half-finished crossword forming in Lokesh’s mind. A wild thought was seizing him. What if Tarun was made an equal co-first author in this high-profile publication? With no way for Tarun to have his own work published in a good impact journal, this could well be Tarun’s chance to become an assistant professor in the institute. Lokesh would get another ally, a more trusted aide than Girish, perhaps.’
With this narrative, the author dwells into the practice of gift authorships by catapulting a poor-performing Ph.D. student to a key authorship rank for the sake of mutual gains. Another relevant aspect the book brings out is the gender bias issue and challenges faced by women in the research field. In one of the chapters, a married woman scientist shares with Sanyukta how her decision to have kids turned out to be a roadblock in her career, ‘Sailing on two boats, should I have been surprised that I was on the verge of losing my balance? ‘
Sprinkled with humor, the book does succeed in giving realistic knowledge of what goes on inside a science lab. It is a book not to be missed from those in the research field. Also, for that outside, if you thought that the scientific community is about geeks and nerds, you are in for a surprise. It should appeal to all and is a must-read for those wanting to explore the world of scientists!
The book is available both on Amazon and in stores.