I started blogging, and knitting, while still in graduate school. For several years I maintained two blogs, one focused on my science, the other on my hobby. I had been kicking around the idea of combining the two, having met lots of knitterly scientists on Ravelry, and Andrew Maynard’s post on Knitting Science inspired me to experiment.
I’m a PhD in anthropological genetics, working on a new postdoc. My research interests include genetic epidemiology, genomics, human evolution and origins, the peopling of Europe, population genetics, and bioinformatics. I started my science blog in August of 2005.
Why blog? When I started, the state Board of Education had watered down our science standards to the point where they earned an ‘F’ from the Fordham Foundation. As a scientist-in-training at the time, I felt compelled to counteract the political misuse of science in my state, where 6 politicians changed the definition of science from:
Science is the human activity of seeking natural explanations for what we observe in the world around us.
to
Science is a systematic method of continuing investigation that uses observation, hypothesis testing, measurement, experimentation, logical argument and theory building, to lead to more adequate explanations of natural phenomena.
Because I taught science, particularly human evolution, and because my children attend public schools in Kansas, I felt it was important to draw attention to the politicization of science, as well as highlight the really cool work that scientists are doing. As a scientist, it’s frustrating to watch traditional media get the science wrong, and the politicians twist science to their own ends.
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I am also a self-taught (or Internet taught) knitter. My first large project, after a couple of hats, was an afghan for my then 4 year-old, seen in the picture above. Knitting the squares gave me a sense of accomplishment during the long slog through the requirements of my doctoral program, and something to do while waiting for gels to run or PCRs to amplify. Knitting gave me the opportunity to learn new skills, be creative, and experiment. I even self-published my first pattern.
All of the life changes since earning my PhD have put a damper on my hobby, but I am anxious to get back to it. Knitting gives me a way to relax and still be productive, and thinking about patterns and stitches and the structure of socks lights up my brain and, I think, makes me a better scientist.
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Disclaimer: This is a personal blog, and as such, in no way represents the views of my institution or department.