When discussing “success” in science there is a huge number of different concepts which are mostly not compatible with each other. I have listed below – in random order – a number of indicators which may help to characterize a person, a group or an institution as “successful in science”:
- Exciting results
- Being an expert
- Being a source of inspiration for my own students and/or for future researchers
- A permanent position as a professor
- A highly paid position in the industry
- A high hierarchical position in academia or industry
- High responsibility
- Exerting power
- Huge amounts of funding
- Being member of editorial boards of scientific journals
- Being a board member or president of scientific societies
- Being a board member or chairman of commissions
- Getting regularly invited as (keynote) speaker
- Receiving important prizes
- Receiving the Nobel prize
- Being a “science star”
- Having a lot of international collaborations
- Having a huge research group
- Being responsible for a high number of (excellent) staff members
- Having an impressive publication list
- High number of citations, high impact factors, h factor, m factor
- A very long publication list
- Having many excellent patents
- Creating a blockbuster product
- Being rich
- Having many or highly paid industry collaborations
- Being present in the media (TV, press, social networks)
- Doing a lot of different things
- Doing the job in less than 40h per week and not working during weekends
- Being socially well integrated and working well together with my colleagues
- Enjoying my work
- Being happy and fulfilled
- Doing what I really like
- Following my passion
- Having a substantial societal impact with my research (new and better therapies, technologies etc.)
- Doing important “pro bono” and charity work in any field
- Make a substantial contribution to the world and leave a legacy
- Having most of the above AND a healthy family life ?
- …
It is useful to discuss these parameters with your peers and to become aware of the unspoken rules and beliefs within yourself and within your institution/company – see also this post: What is a “successfull career” in science?
What about being a source of inspiration, not only for your own students but also for the researchers of the future?
Dear Leen,
that’s a strong point – I add it to the list!
Thanks a lot,
Sven
A very thorough list. Success can mean so many things to so many people nowadays and that is what I found good and interesting about this list.