KEYED IN

Welcome to Keyed In, the blog of Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Honor Society. This will be the go-to place for Sigma Xi members and others to learn about what’s happening in the science and engineering industry. We will share thoughts and perspectives related to Sigma Xi’s mission, including ideas that deal with the health of the research enterprise, integrity in science and engineering, and public understanding of science, as they contribute to improving the human condition. We will give updates about the remarkable work conducted by Sigma Xi chapters, which are spread across the globe. We will report on trends in research and anticipate where the industry is going. And, we will offer advice to young scientists and engineers. Our ultimate goal is to provide useful information that will lead to a more connected and more effective research community.

  • How Do We Define Research Excellence?

    by Jamie Vernon | May 21, 2019
    Membership Certificate
    As an honor society, Sigma Xi welcomes scientists and engineers as new members to recognize their excellence, or their potential to conduct excellent research. But, how should we define research excellence? And, what’s the point?

  • 10 Key Findings from the IPBES Global Assessment

    by Sigma Xi Staff | May 15, 2019
    Sierra Nevada Bighorn Sheep, an endangered species
    Last week, a report from the United Nations gave precise detail about how nature and its critical contributions to people are deteriorating worldwide.

  • Shutdown Story: NSF Graduate Fellowship Program Reviewer's Concerns

    by Heather Thorstensen | Mar 11, 2019
    Office Desk
    A member serving as an application reviewer for the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) Graduate Research Fellowship Program has raised concerns about the consequences to the program from the 2018–2019 government shutdown.

  • Government Shutdowns Hurt Science

    by Jamie Vernon | Feb 05, 2019
    Jamie L. Vernon
    Sigma Xi is sending a letter to Congress and the White House to encourage them to do what is necessary to avoid another government shutdown.

  • The Spirit of Giving Science

    by Jamie Vernon | Dec 20, 2018
    Jamie Vernon
    In his December message, Sigma Xi Executive Director and CEO Jamie Vernon reflects on the year's research accomplishments and member accomplishments.

  • Sigma Xi Members Hold the Key

    by Jamie Vernon | Nov 28, 2018
    Hold the Key Video
    In his November message to members, Executive Director and CEO Jamie Vernon explains the significance of the Sigma Xi key and invites all members to extend the honor of membership and the key of Sigma Xi to all who embody the qualities sought in our fellow companions, including dedication to research excellence and integrity.

  • 2018 October Madness: Raffle Winner

    by Heather Thorstensen | Oct 05, 2018
    Empty October Madness Circle
    The winner of a free year of Sigma Xi membership dues or a year in the Sigma Xi Affiliate Circle is announced as the conclusion of the 2018 run of October Madness, the Nobel Prize prediction contest.

  • 2018 October Madness: Announcement of Champions

    by Heather Thorstensen | Sep 25, 2018
    Champion Bracket, Chemistry
    The people have spoken about who they predict will win the 2018 Nobel Prizes in chemistry, physics, and physiology or medicine!

  • 2018 October Madness: The Finals

    by Heather Thorstensen | Sep 18, 2018
    Raffle Prize
    We're down to the finals of Sigma Xi's Nobel Prize prediction contest, October Madness! Vote through September 23 to pick our champions and enter a raffle for a prize.

  • 2018 October Madness: Final 4

    by Heather Thorstensen | Sep 11, 2018
    Final 4_Bracket_Physics
    We're down to the Final 4 of Sigma Xi's Nobel Prize prediction contest, October Madness! Vote to make sure your top picks make it to the finals.

  • 2018 October Madness: Elite 8

    by Eman Ghanem | Sep 06, 2018
    Elite8_Bracket_Physiology or Medicine
    Voting is open for the 2018 Nobel Prize prediction contest, October Madness! Voting for this round is open through September 9.

  • A New Spin on Sigma Xi's Annual Meeting

    by Jamie Vernon | Sep 04, 2018
    Annual Meeting and Student Research Conference logo
    The 2018 Annual Meeting agenda has been expanded from primarily Society business to programming that is designed to be both personally enriching and professionally beneficial. Executive Director and CEO Jamie Vernon asks for the Society's feedback about the plans for this year’s event.

  • Call for Nominations: October Madness 2018

    by Heather Thorstensen | Aug 24, 2018
    Physiology_or_Medicine_2017
    Sigma Xi's Nobel Prize prediction contest is back and needs your nominations by September 4, 2018!

  • How Will Big Data and Artificial Intelligence Change Science?

    by Jamie Vernon | May 15, 2018
    vernon-240x187
    We’re beginning to see the influence of big data sets, and the technology to process them, in every area of research. A need exists for in-depth conversations about the ethics of data collection, analysis, usage, how we will communicate discoveries when the process is largely computer-driven, and how the current scientific infrastructure system will need to adapt to accommodate big data-based research initiatives.

  • Partners Again: Sigma Xi and the March for Science

    by Jamie Vernon | Mar 20, 2018
    Columbia Willamette
    In his March 2018 Sigma Xi Speaks message, Executive Director and CEO Jamie L. Vernon calls on members, affiliates, and explorers to join with their local March for Science events.

  • The Case for Open Access Publishing from a Rural High School Teacher

    by Jeff Wehr | Feb 13, 2018
    Jeff Wehr
    Sigma Xi member Jeff Wehr is the principal mentor of the Advanced STEM Research Laboratory at Odessa High School in Odessa, Washington. He makes the case that open access publishing would be a benefit to the scientific community by supporting his rural students.

  • What Role Should Sigma Xi Play as a Research Advocate?

    by Jamie Vernon | Jan 23, 2018
    US Capitol Building
    Sigma Xi members, affiliates, and explorers discuss critical issues in science as part of the Society’s Quarterly Conversations initiative. In light of the recent government shutdown, this quarter’s discussion will explore how Sigma Xi should represent the research enterprise in the political system.

  • Shaping the Rules: How Scientists Can Help Public Agencies Do Their Work

    by Aaron Huertas | Jan 22, 2018
    Public Hearing
    When scientists talk about public policy, they usually focus on the most visible parts of the political process—think presidential speeches and Congressional debates over major legislation. But a great deal of policymaking is done quietly by professional staff at public agencies. Policy experts say well-placed scientific advice can have an outsize impact in these venues.

  • Sigma Xi is The Scientific Research Honor Society: What is Research, Anyway?

    by Tee Guidotti | Jan 10, 2018
    Tee Guidotti
    Recently, a conversation thread in Sigma Xi’s online member community, The Lab, asked the decidedly not rhetorical question, “How does Sigma Xi define research?” Past President Tee Guidotti provides the leadership team's perspective.

  • Should Sigma Xi Support Open Access?

    by Jamie Vernon | Oct 20, 2017
    Jamie L. Vernon
    What happens when a university fails to renew a journal subscription that is used by its faculty or publishers charge exorbitant fees to download scholarly articles? One possible solution to disseminating scientific information is open access, a system that makes research articles available to all interested parties at no cost. Sigma Xi members are discussing the pros and cons of this publishing system.

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