The Good Science Project is a College-wide initiative aiming to promote debate about contemporary research culture. We celebrate the ideals which brought us into science, and by which we hope to work. And we look with a critical eye at the way Imperial can best support our own good practice.

The Good Science Project is a collaboration between the Office of the Vice-Provost (Research and Enterprise) and the Science Communication Unit. It is funded by Research England.

What is ‘good science’?

What is ‘good science’? And what is ‘good practice’? These phrases are interesting because they point in two directions. On the one hand there is the ‘headline’ success of institutions: grants won, league tables scaled, top journals stormed, media time guaranteed, parliamentary questions asked. We know too that ‘good science’ suggests also something quieter, less public, more intimate. ‘Good science’ may be the moments of reflection where you have time to consider the direction your work is taking. It may be those conversations with colleagues that are both trustful and creative. Good science may be the style of work where collegiality is valued above straight ambition. Undoubtedly good science is linked to the steady and secure development of your skills. Overall we need our institutions to be successful: otherwise there can be no science. But for the ideas to flow, researchers need time and they need autonomy. How can we get the balance right, and so produce the research culture that helps us all flourish?

Our activities

1. Want to discuss research culture and your beliefs about science?
The Good Science Project warmly invites you to our next Friday Forum, titled ‘The Ages of Science’, to be held on May 10th. Friday Forums are congenial lunchtime discussions on a particular aspect of research culture. A panel sets the scene, but half the time is set aside for audience Q and A. ‘The Ages of Science’ discussion will examine how our science changes as we get older. Panellists include Professor Clare Lloyd, Vice-Dean FoM and Interim Head of NHLI; Denis Wright, Emeritus Professor of Pest Management; and Dr Sam Cooper, Senior Lecturer in the Dyson School of Design Engineering. Come along, join the debate, and broaden your perspective. Lunch is provided, and the link for registering is here.

2. Want to find ways to express your work and its values in a new way? Are you seeking fresh audiences for your work, and experimenting with how to articulate your ideas?
We are happy to announce an arts initiative aiming to shine new light on our daily scientific practice. We hope you will want to be involved, and we invite your interest. More specifically, we are looking for nine scientists who, working in three groups, will produce three remarkable and thought-provoking artefacts. The pieces will find ways of expressing the values, skills and ideas that scientists consider the essence of their work, and which together constitute the real pleasures of the life scientific. Accordingly your artwork will celebrate the ordinary acts of science, and its patient processes - qualities that are hard to measure and which remain stubbornly resistant to publicity.

No special artistic leaning is required, although you will certainly learn new skills, and you will foster the creative elements you already possess. You will be supported in your artistic work by our artist-in-residence and science media producer Ella Miodownik, and by other artists and science communicators as needed. In sum, we look for new ways to signal our respect for the daily practice of ordinary science. The final work of art will be titled ‘The Triptych of Science’ and will be a testament to the vision of Imperial science.

To find out more, and to register your interest, please read our project summary (PDF) and contact Stephen Webster directly.

Looking back: The Day of Doubt

On September 27th 2023 we organised a major conference, The Day of Doubt, to examine and affirm the importance of doubt as a resource for good science. 280 members of the College filled the Sir Alexander Building, with the day introduced by Professor Mary Ryan (Vice-Provost, Research and Enterprise), Sir Paul Nurse FRS, director of the Francis Crick institute, and Professor Ian Walmsley FRS, Provost of Imperial College. The day was structured to be as conversational as possible, with ample opportunity to discuss such features of research culture as excellence, public engagement and interdisciplinarity. The day was filmed and you can view the different sections of the conference on YouTube. The conference booklet, called A Memo on Doubt (PDF), is also available.

Next steps ... join us for our new season of Friday Forums

The Good Science Project is now running a new season of Friday Forums, congenial lunchtime discussions on some aspect of research culture. Past Friday Forums have included debates on the importance of technicians, on the science-politics interface, and on the role of architecture and design in producing happy and successful laboratories.

Friday Forums are open to all, are free and include lunch. If you would like to contribute ideas, or join a panel, please contact Stephen Webster directly.