Analytical Attrition
Despite its intrinsic importance, analytical science has a very low profile and is in danger of being dismantled completely. One organization, COAST, offers an alternative future.
A recurring concern in our field, shared across all techniques and application areas, is the attrition of the profile of the analytical sciences.
It was brought up in our first ever In My View article, when Samuel Kounaves of Tufts University wrote: “I find it disquieting that many universities have been dropping courses in analytical science over the past few decades; all too often, the material is integrated into lower level courses.” And it crops up again in this month’s Business article from Oscar van den Brink, Managing Director of COAST. The profile of analytics is already low and, without adequate measures, will continue to drop.
True, this analytical attrition is partly a consequence of the evolution of science and its terminology. Fashions come and go, and today it is far more opportune to describe yourself as a proteomics researcher than as mass spectrometrist. While you may think that’s not cause for concern, as the work is being done regardless of the label pinned to it, titles do matter. They help define what’s hot and how the subjects are viewed from the outside, and the slide from somewhat unfashionable to obsolete is a quick and painful one. At that point, where shall we find the Csaba Horváths and Sir J. J. Thomsons of the future?
Van den Brink’s COAST organization is one of only a handful that are trying to refocus on analytical science as a field rather than on the applications of analytical technology. The clear aim is to encourage basic innovation that will generate solutions to cut across several – or all – application areas. It’s a sound idea and one that I believe more public-private bodies (and funding agencies) should embrace.
Analytical science is an enabling technology – essential for innovations in most other areas of research. Yet it takes a back seat when it comes to investment. Perhaps “invisibility” has a part to play; perhaps governments are quicker to act on areas that stir an emotional response from voters. Certainly, funding for the environment, healthcare, biotech, and energy all take precedence.
COAST provides us with a blueprint. The sense of urgency and direction shared by their industrial and academic leaders has attracted support, including government funding, for ambitious R&D projects. Equally important, they maintain a strong focus on education and human resources to help tackle the heart of the problem.
Rich Whitworth
Editor
Do you share this concern about our field’s profile? If so, what can we, the analytical community, do about it? Let us know by commenting below.
Rich Whitworth completed his studies in medical biochemistry at the University of Leicester, UK, in 1998. To cut a long story short, he escaped to Tokyo to spend five years working for the largest English language publisher in Japan. "Carving out a career in the megalopolis that is Tokyo changed my outlook forever. When seeing life through such a kaleidoscopic lens, it's hard not to get truly caught up in the moment." On returning to the UK, after a few false starts with grey, corporate publishers, Rich was snapped up by Texere Publishing, where he spearheaded the editorial development of The Analytical Scientist. "I feel honored to be part of the close-knit team that forged The Analytical Scientist – we've created a very fresh and forward-thinking publication." Rich is now also Content Director of Texere Publishing, the company behind The Analytical Scientist.
