Go backstage with researchers
Science Backstage – a series of articles focusing on behind-the-scenes aspects of research. For a moment, we leave behind the glitzy moments in the spotlight and peek into the more private moments of everyday science work when researchers try out, and may even discard, some ideas. This is where doubts, tireless perseverance and enlightenment are all very real options.
Science Backstage highlights common as well as unique aspects of everyday research work. For example, readers find out what it is like to study the social behaviour of African lions. Research stays in the field – in Africa – are a central part of biologist Natalia Borrego’s work. What are the special challenges when doing research in the wilderness? What does it mean to be away from home for long periods? And why are the social dynamics of lions particularly interesting?
Explaining scientific methods and terminology – this, too, is part of the Science Backstage philosophy. For example: What is a narrative? And why does it make sense for researchers to take a closer look at narratives? Literary scholar Albrecht Koschorke, who studies narratives of liberalism, talks about this topic in an interview. Or, in a completely different field, what about the waggle dance of bees? How do researchers find out whether bees can still find a food source even when the directions in the waggle dances by other bees are fuzzy?
A look at core facilities, too, can help people understand how science works and what tools researchers need. The Konstanz GameLab now includes a 3D recording studio to analyze social interactions between people – from any perspective and even in virtual reality environments. And how and why did the University of Konstanz set up its own university publishing house?
How do researchers develop ideas for new projects? How do certain scientific methods work? What difficulties do researchers face in their projects? And how do they respond to unexpected developments? Read the latest Science Backstage articles in the online magazine of the University of Konstanz. New posts appear regularly.