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.

  • Member Writes Children's Book about Viruses

    by Heather Thorstensen | Aug 04, 2020
    What is a Virus?
    A new book by Sigma Xi member Hannah Margolis helps children and parents learn the basics of viruses as we all face SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. The book is available for free online.

  • Sigma Xi Steps Up to Support the Research Community

    by Jamie Vernon | Jul 21, 2020
    2016 Annual Meeting Plenary Session
    Sigma Xi took multiple actions this month to address issues on behalf of its members and the scientific community. Issues addressed include an Immigration and Customs Enforcement policy that would have affected international students, helping the public understand COVID-19, supporting evidence-based public health guidance, and restricting Facebook advertising.

  • Sigma Xi Supports the #ShutDownSTEM Initative

    by Heather Thorstensen | Jun 11, 2020
    Sigma Xi Supports the ShutDownSTEM Initiative
    Sigma Xi members share what they did on June 10 to address racial inequalities.

  • Life Lessons from a Research Career

    by Geraldine Richmond | May 26, 2020
    Geraldine Richmond
    National Medal of Science Recipient and Sigma Xi President Geraldine Richmond shares five things she has learned about life and having a research career.

  • Q & A with a Seeker of Genius

    by Heather Thorstensen | May 21, 2020
    Rachael Cusick
    Rachael Cusick, an associate producer at Radiolab, spent a year searching for genius. The result is RadioLab Presents: G, a documentary series on the concept of intelligence.

  • How Does Discipline Integration Make Research (and Life) Better?

    by Jamie Vernon | Apr 21, 2020
    handshake
    Just as the current physical distancing disrupts our natural state of socialized work, higher education has been experiencing a longer period of distancing of its own, one of discipline distancing. As we have each become more specialized, have we moved away from teaching and working in a way that provides the most opportunity for students, scientists, and engineers to advance new knowledge that will improve our world?

  • How to Build Your Best Student Research Showcase Presentation

    by Heather Thorstensen | Apr 07, 2020
    Janelle Simmons
    Students who plan to participate in the Student Research Showcase can get tips for building their websites.

  • Information Sharing During Public Health Emergencies

    by Brian W. Langloss | Apr 01, 2020
    Misinformation has spread online during the coronavirus outbreak
    As the world struggles to contain the economic, political, social, and health impacts of the new coronavirus, it is also wrestling with how both online censorship and the open internet have helped the spread of the virus. Duke University's Center on Science & Technology Policy has created a policy brief that provides recommendations for addressing this and the next pandemic.

  • How Scientists and Engineers Who Aren't on the Front Lines of the Coronavirus Outbreak Can Help

    by Heather Thorstensen | Mar 30, 2020
    Healthcare worker in surgical mask
    Even if your specific science, technology, engineering, or math isn’t on the front lines of the coronavirus outbreak, you can still contribute to the world’s efforts against COVID-19.

  • A Moment of Truth for Science

    by Jamie Vernon | Mar 18, 2020
    coronavirus illustration
    Executive Director and CEO Jamie Vernon details the research community's work on the front lines of mitigating the impact of COVID-19, and calls on Sigma Xi members to be ambassadors for science in their communities.

  • Keeping the Public Trust

    by Geraldine Richmond | Mar 17, 2020
    Geri Richmond at Podium
    President Geraldine Richmond reminds scientists that they have a role to play in building and maintaining public confidence in the scientific enterprise.

  • Bringing the Research Community Together at Florida A&M University

    by Marijo Kent-First | Feb 28, 2020
    Florida A&M picture 2
    A Sigma Xi chapter is reactivating at one of the Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

  • Announcing the Annual Report and Strategic Plan

    by Jamie Vernon | Feb 13, 2020
    SRC Presenters
    Executive Director and CEO Jamie L. Vernon shares what Sigma Xi has achieved in support of the research community over the last year and lays out a road map of what the Society plans to accomplish in the years to come.

  • Measuring Research Impact

    by Geraldine Richmond | Feb 11, 2020
    Geri Richmond
    In today’s competitive workplace, we increasingly seek to measure research impact with quantifiable metrics. Such metrics, however, do not capture the broader impact beyond the publishing arena, writes President Geraldine Richmond.

  • Mentoring for Success

    by Geraldine Richmond | Dec 19, 2019
    From the President banner
    Members can help carry on Sigma Xi's tradition of mentoring to support the next generation of researchers. President Geraldine Richmond describes the different forms of mentorship and the factors that contribute to effective mentorship.

  • Do You Know How Your Colleagues, Mentees, and Students Will Spend the Holidays?

    by Jamie Vernon | Dec 17, 2019
    2019 Student Research Conference Top Presenters
    Sigma Xi takes pride in creating an inclusive environment for the creative pursuit of knowledge. We gather together for member and chapter events to connect and build relationships. Research is our common bond, but it’s also important to think about the quality of life that those around us have outside of our work environment.

  • What Are Your Science Policy Priorities?

    by Jamie Vernon | Nov 20, 2019
    Ariana Sutton-Grier
    Sigma Xi Executive Director and CEO Jamie Vernon would like to know your science policy priorities, what you have done or would be willing to do to advocate for science, and the kind of role you think Sigma Xi should play to make the biggest difference.

  • Chapters As a Source of Leadership in Sigma Xi

    by Linda Mantel | Nov 13, 2019
    Linda Mantel
    Linda Mantel is the 2019 recipient of the Evan Ferguson Award for Service to the Society. She shares her insights from her role as a volunteer leader.

  • Specialized Batteries for Implantable Medical Applications Provide Inspiration for Research

    by Esther Takeuchi | Nov 11, 2019
    EstherTakeuchi300x325
    Batteries for implantable medical devices must be small, reliable, safe, and long lasting. These characteristics are desirable for other battery applications as well. Thus, the insights gained from extended lifetime medical batteries are providing inspiration to design and improve other types of batteries for multiple types of uses.

  • How Do We Know that Human Activities Have Affected Global Climate?

    by Ben Santer | Nov 11, 2019
    climate model resized
    Ben Santer's early research contributed to the historic 1995 conclusion of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change: “the balance of evidence suggests a discernible human influence on global climate.” He provides background information on the research surrounding the global climate.

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