• Question: Do you ever consider the full potential of your work?

    Asked by Joe to Laura, Matthew, Andrew on 20 Nov 2014.
    • Photo: Matthew Camilleri

      Matthew Camilleri answered on 20 Nov 2014:

      I try not to, as that would increase the pressure on me for the project to work. I have a job to do, and I want to do to the best of my abilities. When my research starts giving me better results I have communications in place in order to have some policy briefs about it, but that seems so far away for now.

    • Photo: Andrew McKinley

      Andrew McKinley answered on 20 Nov 2014:

      Absolutely – you have to consider the full potential as far as you can when applying for funding. Of course, you’ll never know what it might be used for eventually – think of how many accidental discoveries there have been (most prominent has been teh adhesive on PostIt notes).

      You also have to consider the ethical concerns of your work – how will it affect people, and how will you minimise the negative impacts while enhancing hte benefits. It’s all a delicate balance!

    • Photo: Laura Schofield

      Laura Schofield answered on 20 Nov 2014:

      I like to think I consider that on a regular basis, like every day! Events like this where you have to explain your research and questions like “how will that affect us?” really force you to think carefully about what you are doing and why you’re doing it. I think part of it comes with time. Andrew and I have been working on our projects a lot longer than Matthew has so I’m sure it will come to him soon too!

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