Education

Recent articles

Photograph of a cardinal with male-typical red feathers on one side and more drab, female-typical feathers on the other.
Sex Microphone

What birds can teach us about the ‘biological truth’ of sex

Part of our job as educators is to give students a deeper understanding of the true diversity of sex and gender in the natural world.

By Nicole M. Baran
22 April 2025 | 8 min listen
Illustration of a scientist reaching toward a shelf of beakers in the shape of a speech bubble.

How to communicate the value of curiosity-driven research

The burden of proof is on us—researchers—to explain why what we do is valuable to society.

By Anthony Zador
4 March 2025 | 5 min read
Two scientists walk along interlocking rings.

Breaking the barrier between theorists and experimentalists

Many neuroscience students are steeped in an experiment-first style of thinking that leads to “random walk science.” Let’s not forget how theory can guide experiments toward deeper insights.

By Samuel Gershman
24 February 2025 | 6 min read
Against a background of American dollar bills, two hands gesture at a whiteboard that shows liquid flowing from one beacon into another.

How to teach students about science funding

As researchers reel over the uncertain state of U.S. federal funding, educating students on the business of science is more important than ever.

By Ashley Juavinett
19 February 2025 | 8 min read
Multiple people look together at a whiteboard in a lab.

Why practical summer courses in neuroscience matter

Among other reasons, this tradition helps researchers rekindle the unfettered joy that initially brought them to the field.

By John Tuthill
13 January 2025 | 7 min read
Stock photograph of a women and her young child at a clinician’s office.

A genetics-first clinic for catching developmental conditions early: Q&A with Jacob Vorstman

A new clinic is assessing children who have a genetic predisposition for autism and other neurodevelopmental conditions—sometimes before traits appear.

By Lauren Schenkman
15 August 2024 | 7 min read
Photograph of Ciona Kelly.

Building a global community: Q&A with Black In Neuro co-founder Clíona Kelly

As Black In Neuro Week 2024 continues through Sunday, Kelly explains how the organization expanded from its humble beginnings as a Slack channel to connect Black neuroscientists across the diaspora.

By Alaina G. Levine
2 August 2024 | 5 min read
Illustration of a scientist attempting to wrangle many forms of data at once: a pile of charts and graphs threatens to knock them off of their feet as they attempt to prop it up.

Neuroscience graduate students deserve comprehensive data-literacy education

Despite growing requirements around how to handle and share data, formal training is lacking.

By Letisha R. Wyatt
15 July 2024 | 6 min read
The silhouette of a head rises over a body of water.

Our planet stands on the brink of irreversible change. Neuroscientists need to do something about it.

When I launched my new lab at New York University in 2022, I decided to apply my expertise in computer vision to an urgent problem far outside the brain: climate change.

By Grace Lindsay
13 November 2023 | 6 min read
An illustration of Ashura Buckley

The sleep/wake cycle and autism with Ashura Buckley

The NIH neurologist talks about her research, her family and how mental health labels can be limiting.

By Brady Huggett
1 July 2023 | 72 min listen

Explore more from The Transmitter

Illustration of overlapping, multi-colored human head silhouettes.

CDC autism prevalence numbers warrant attention—but not in the way RFK Jr. proposes

The head of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is ignoring decades of research findings.

By Lynn Waterhouse
1 May 2025 | 6 min read
A red speech bubble emanates from a megaphone.

‘These plans are simply not acceptable’: Q&A with Helen Tager-Flusberg

Last week, Tager-Flusberg formed the Coalition of Autism Scientists to push back on the U.S. government’s plans for autism research, as described by Health and Human Services Secretary RFK Jr. The coalition already has 220 members.

By Sydney Wyatt
1 May 2025 | 5 min read
Illustration of a lab coat being wiped away.

Federal funding cuts imperil next generation of autism researchers

As the International Society for Autism Research’s annual meeting begins, its next president reflects on a brewing crisis.

By Brian Boyd
30 April 2025 | 5 min read