How do we inspire the next generation of scientists?

Interview with Steve Watson

Do we train too many science students? Should all students strive to become science leaders? Professor Steve Watson, winner of a Nature/NESTA award for science mentoring, shares his views.

What did it mean to you to win a Nature/NESTA award?

It's a tremendous honour. In many ways, however, it doesn't really matter who wins the award; I think what's most important is that the award exists because mentoring isn't considered importantly enough. I suspect part of the reason for this award is that too many young scientists leave the profession because they do not receive the support or training they need.

The award is verification of the [mentoring] approach I take because you never know if what you're doing is right. I'm very honoured and excited by it.

Did you have a mentor?

What really inspired me were the negative things I saw and things I felt were wrong. I didn't simply want to be told that I was doing well. It's a competitive world and, although I didn't want to be put down, I did want an honest assessment of what I should be doing, where I should be going and areas in which I could improve. So the politeness of other people inspired me to be more direct. That's why it's interesting that I won the award because I'm fairly direct and blunt with people in terms of how I deal with them, but at the same time I let them know that I'm trying to help them. I try and give them my experience in terms of my "grey hairs", as I say.

What role do you think senior scientists have in mentoring the next generation of scientists?

Firstly, it's important to recognise that many people don't want to be leaders. Clearly, however, the development of leaders is key for science to progress. I always ask my students where they want to be in 10 years time. I really challenge them on this and, depending on their answer, try to advise them on how they can learn the skills and achieve the goals they need to ensure success. Ultimately, of course, it is up to them.

How do you mentor the people who don't want to become science leaders?

I think it's important that you put people on a project that allows them to make the most of their abilities. I don't think it's important that they all stay in science - in fact, I think it would be wrong. One of my students has just gone into the business side of drug development and another has gone into a career guidance service in Oxford. There are many types of jobs out there. Some may want to become school teachers - and those are the people who inspire the school kids. A key thing is that they achieve success during their time in science and that they communicate their enthusiasm as they move on.

Tell me about the Platelet Summer School you set up to give young researchers an overview of the latest research in the field.

An important goal of the summer school is not simply to bring students up to date with the latest research in the field, but to provide them with a much broader overview of the field. It also introduces them to individuals in the UK who are expert in these areas.

Further goals are to generate an informal environment in which they can ask questions and discuss their ideas, and also to get to know other students at a similar stage of their career. Research is becoming increasingly specialist and technology driven: the summer school helps to broaden the training of each student around a central topic, in our case platelets, which play a critical role in stopping bleeding and thrombotic disease.

Overall, what we are really trying to do is improve the quality of scientists and therefore science in the field - and to create a feeling of support and collaboration. There's no doubt that we're achieving that. We're a friendly community and we have a lot of fun.

Do we train enough young scientists?

We're now sending about five times the number of people to university compared with when I was at school. The fact that the percentage of people doing science has reduced doesn't relate to a net reduction in the number of people.

In fact, I think we would be better to train fewer PhD students for longer periods. That way, students can take on more challenging projects and gain more experience - many scientists take several years to gain the confidence they need to progress.

Do we have enough scientists? I think we have more than enough good scientists. Do we give them enough support? I'm not sure we always do, especially with increasing student numbers and administration. As it gets increasingly difficult to make big breakthroughs, how do we give newly qualified graduates the confidence, money and support to generate their own independence and become the next set of leaders? That's the key thing and I think it's a real problem for science today.

Last words?

I'm very fortunate to have the people who work with me because it isn't simply a mentor who creates the environment; it's the people who create it. I've had excellent people supporting me at the British Heart Foundation and at the universities of Oxford and Birmingham. It's nice that Nature and NESTA recognise people for this award. I'm incredibly fortunate and grateful to have won.

Professor Watson is a British Heart Foundation Professor in Cardiovascular Sciences and Cellular Pharmacology at the University of Birmingham's Medical School.