Naked Science Forum

Non Life Sciences => Physics, Astronomy & Cosmology => Topic started by: Make it Lady on 16/07/2008 20:47:04

Title: What will happen to theoretical cosmology in Britain if Hawkins goes to Canada?
Post by: Make it Lady on 16/07/2008 20:47:04: I hear Hawkins might leave Cambridge due to funding cuts and better offers in Canada. Would this cause Britain to be a place of "dull science" as Hawkins claims? Would a brain drain follow his departure?

Will nudi guys and girls what do you think?
Title: What will happen to theoretical cosmology in Britain if Hawkins goes to Canada?
Post by: blakestyger on 16/07/2008 21:19:39: Does that mean he will have to resign his chair as Lucasian Professor of Mathematics?

A propos of nothing to do with the question, I saw him once. He was bombing along late one night in his chair in the pouring rain, with some hapless soul running behind, and got stuck between two uprights of some scaffolding that straddled the pavement. I thought about crossing the road to offer assistance but he reversed at full power and got himself out and shot off before I was needed.
Title: What will happen to theoretical cosmology in Britain if Hawkins goes to Canada?
Post by: DoctorBeaver on 16/07/2008 23:03:47: He could not hold the Lucasian chair if he was no longer at Cambridge.

To be honest, I wouldn't blame him in the slightest if he went. Research is so underfunded in this country it's a wonder there's anyone noteworthy left.
Title: What will happen to theoretical cosmology in Britain if Hawkins goes to Canada?
Post by: Make it Lady on 17/07/2008 16:51:44: I can balance a Lucasian chair on my nose but it can only be done in Cambridge!

I hope he is threatening to go to underline how poorly funded research is. I hope he doesn't go. Britain loses too many institutional figures. However if the funding is holding him back and he feels he can't wait to carry on what he is doing (which is probably the case) I wouldn't blame him either.

I guess the government should put funding into media studies because boy do we need more TV presenters!
Title: What will happen to theoretical cosmology in Britain if Hawkins goes to Canada?
Post by: DoctorBeaver on 17/07/2008 19:45:22: Quote from: Make it Lady on 17/07/2008 16:51:44

I guess the government should put funding into media studies because boy do we need more TV presenters!

And film critics.

It would make sense to increase funding for media studies. The government wants everyone to get a degree & media studies is 1 of the easiest.

Ah, wait a minute. If they put too much funding into media studies, there won't be enough left for leisure & tourism degree courses. Hmmm, a problem looms.
Title: What will happen to theoretical cosmology in Britain if Hawkins goes to Canada?
Post by: LeeE on 18/07/2008 15:40:13: The only science that polytrickians like is statistics, because it can be misused to represent their lies as truth.