Craft and careers

Recent articles

Inspiring stories and practical advice for neuroscientists

Two opposing arrows.

European Research Council backtracks on stricter grant resubmission rules

The swift reversal came after more than 1,000 scientists signed an open letter protesting the rules last week.

By Lauren Schenkman
1 May 2026 | 4 min read
Illustration of hand with letter.

Scientists push back against stricter European Research Council grant application rules

In an open letter, scientists call the ERC’s suggestion to block grant reapplications for an additional year “at odds with scientific excellence.”

By Lauren Schenkman
29 April 2026 | 5 min read
Collage illustration with a portrait of Mia Thomaidou.

Frameshift: How Mia Thomaidou tapped a fellowship to connect neuroscience to criminal justice

As a fellow at the Dana Foundation, she merged two familiar passions and discovered a new one: science philanthropy.

By Katie Moisse
21 April 2026 | 6 min read
Collage with a portrait of Caitlin Vander Weele in the foreground.

Frameshift: How Caitlin Vander Weele made science communication her business

Her favorite part of research was talking about it. So she left academia and turned that passion into a successful company.

By Katie Moisse
19 March 2026 | 6 min read

David Sussillo on persistence, luck and the bonds between life and work

In a Q&A about his new book, “Emergence,” Sussillo shares why he wrote it and how challenging circumstances shaped his journey into neuroscience.

By Francisco J. Rivera Rosario, David Sussillo
17 March 2026 | 7 min watch
Illustration of a leaking pipe.

Securing the academic pipeline amid uncertain U.S. funding climate

Finding creative ways to keep early-career researchers in academia—for example, through part-time roles—can help the field weather the storm.

By Lucina Q. Uddin
9 March 2026 | 5 min read
Sheet of paper with a red pencil struck through it.

Lack of reviewers threatens robustness of neuroscience literature

Simple math suggests that small groups of scientists can significantly bias peer review.

By Jakob Voigts
2 March 2026 | 14 min read
Sam Wang.

Is there a neuroscientist in the House?

Sam Wang, a neuroscientist running for the U.S. House of Representatives, has been considering American democracy for decades.

By Lauren Schenkman
25 February 2026 | 7 min read

How insights from network theory can boost interdisciplinary efforts

Communication on one interdisciplinary research team improved after the researchers turned an analysis technique used to study the brain on themselves and identified the roles people played in lab meetings.

By Emily Singer
23 February 2026 | 0 min watch
Portrait of Raphe Bernier in front of a collage of a building, a chalkboard, a computer and human silhouettes.

Frameshift: Raphe Bernier followed his heart out of academia, then made his way back again

After a clinical research career, an interlude at Apple and four months in early retirement, Raphe Bernier found joy in teaching.

By Katie Moisse
20 February 2026 | 8 min read

Explore more from The Transmitter

leech illustration.

What leeches reveal about movement

After encountering setbacks in her study of the neuromuscular system in vertebrates, Lidia Szczupak turned to leeches to explore how the nervous system coordinates movement.

By Claudia López Lloreda
1 May 2026 | 5 min read

Novel assembloid illuminates serotonin changes linked to 22q11.2 deletion

The combination of a serotonin-producing organoid with an organoid based on the developing cerebral cortex offers a new way to investigate neuromodulation.

By Sarah DeWeerdt
30 April 2026 | 0 min watch
Conference attendees.

Reporter’s notebook: Highlights from INSAR 2026

At the 25th annual meeting of the International Society for Autism Research, scientists, clinicians and self-advocates gathered to discuss topics such as autism genetics and the gap between clinical trials and real-world benefits.

By Diana Kwon
30 April 2026 | 6 min read