Paul Nurse, the 76-year-old Nobel Prize-winning geneticist, is taking up his second term as president of the Royal Society, a position no other scientist has held for centuries. The unusual nature of his appointment has sparked controversy, with some questioning whether he is the right person for the job due to his age, race and gender.
Nurse acknowledges that there were concerns about his candidacy, including those from female scientists who felt it was time for a woman in the position. However, he maintains that he is the best candidate for the role, citing the fact that he had to meet with multiple candidates before being elected.
He also pushes back against the idea that the Royal Society is a "boys' club" and notes that his presidency has brought attention to issues such as the influence of Elon Musk, who was recently elected a fellow of the society despite some scientists calling for disciplinary action over his views on science. Nurse argues that the society should focus on promoting scientific achievement rather than expelling members for their personal views.
Nurse is also tackling other pressing issues in the scientific community, including the funding of science in the UK and the visa system, which he believes are deterring early-career researchers. He has expressed concerns about the rise of right-wing populism and its impact on science, citing the need for a pursuit of truth and evidence-based thinking.
As Nurse moves back into his apartment at the Royal Society's headquarters, he reflects on the challenges ahead. Despite having a comfortable living space with stunning views of London, he is aware that the presidency comes with significant responsibilities and scrutiny. His approach to tackling these issues will be watched closely by the scientific community and beyond.
Nurse acknowledges that there were concerns about his candidacy, including those from female scientists who felt it was time for a woman in the position. However, he maintains that he is the best candidate for the role, citing the fact that he had to meet with multiple candidates before being elected.
He also pushes back against the idea that the Royal Society is a "boys' club" and notes that his presidency has brought attention to issues such as the influence of Elon Musk, who was recently elected a fellow of the society despite some scientists calling for disciplinary action over his views on science. Nurse argues that the society should focus on promoting scientific achievement rather than expelling members for their personal views.
Nurse is also tackling other pressing issues in the scientific community, including the funding of science in the UK and the visa system, which he believes are deterring early-career researchers. He has expressed concerns about the rise of right-wing populism and its impact on science, citing the need for a pursuit of truth and evidence-based thinking.
As Nurse moves back into his apartment at the Royal Society's headquarters, he reflects on the challenges ahead. Despite having a comfortable living space with stunning views of London, he is aware that the presidency comes with significant responsibilities and scrutiny. His approach to tackling these issues will be watched closely by the scientific community and beyond.
I gotta say, 76 is pretty old for a president role, you know? Like, what's next, pensioner in chief? 
But seriously, Paul Nurse seems like a cool cat who's got some real concerns about the state of science right now. The whole Elon Musk thing is wild – I mean, dude's got some opinions that are straight-up polarizing 
. It'll be interesting to see how he handles it.
. And those funding issues in the UK? Yeah, that's a real problem. We need more support for early-career researchers who are trying to make a difference 
.
It's a tough conversation to have, but I think we need more of them 
.
As a scientist, you gotta give credit where credit is due – and PMD (Polymerase II Motif-Domain) genes, anyone? 
What's more worrying than Musk's views on science? Is it really that hard for us to have some tough conversations about the direction of science & how we should be funding it in this crazy world? Let's focus on progress, not tearing people down over age or background... I'm all for a healthy debate, but PMD is my jam 
i get it, paul nurse is a legend in genetics, but does being a man of his age & color make him the best fit? 
and what's up with this "boys' club" thing? i mean, surely there are women in the society too? 
plus elon musk being elected as a fellow is just... wow. 
shouldn't they be focusing on the science not his tweets about it? 
Paul Nurse is back in charge 
and I'm curious how he's gonna tackle those pesky issues 
he's all about promoting scientific achievement over expelling members who have unpopular views 
but some people might say it's time for a woman in the role 
gotta love that older dude bringing attention to the society and its values 
. I mean, he's still got some great ideas coming out of that aged brain of his. The whole thing about being a "boys' club" is just a bit rich considering the history of the Royal Society 
. I'm glad he's pushing back on the idea to expel members for their views - we need more of that in science, less drama and catty nonsense 
. He's right about focusing on promoting scientific achievement, not tearing people down. And can we talk about how some scientists are just too quick to call for disciplinary action without even considering the bigger picture 
that's defo makin waves. i think its cool that hes bringin up elon musk cuz thats a legit issue. we gotta have critical thinkin in science, not just blindly follow tech celebs. 
also, funding in uk is super important and needs more attention. 
visa system for researchers? that's a major problem. can't let politics get in the way of progress 
. But Paul Nurse isn't letting it slide either - he's calling out the real issues that need attention, like funding science in the UK and addressing the visa system. He's tackling those tough topics head-on and I am HERE. FOR. IT 
also did a quick rundown of Elon Musk's tweets on science and saw that he's had over 3000 likes on one tweet alone! 
As for funding science in the UK and visa issues, I think it's a no-brainer that we need to support our young researchers and keep them here. It's not like they're going anywhere! 
like I know some ppl are saying he's too old or that it's a "boys club" but honestly I think he's perfect for the job! I mean, who better to lead the charge on science than someone who's been doing it for DECADES?! 
. paul nurse is trying to bring some much-needed balance to the society and I am HERE. FOR. IT 
but I know he's got this! he's been preparing for this moment his whole career 
. Anyway, gotta respect Nurse's passion & commitment to promoting scientific achievement 
. but you know what? i think he's a strong leader who's passionate about science & making it more accessible to everyone 
. i'm glad he's bringing attention to issues like funding & visa systems that need fixing 
. Think he's right on track addressing those issues like funding and visa stuff, we need more ppl in science who aren't afraid to speak up 
Did you know that women make up only 28% of the UK's STEM workforce?