Fail-Safe Science Repository
Studies have shown that graduate students commonly feel as though successful scientists rarely experience challenges or failures. Fail-Safe Science is an initiative designed to normalize experiencing and overcoming challenges in science graduate programs. Below are videos of different scientists discussing the hurdles they encountered during their PhD programs, how they coped with the challenges, and what advice they have for current graduate students.
Search the repository by type of challenge and learn from successful scientists who have overcome obstacles throughout their graduate careers.
Explore our companion podcast.
Welcome to the Fail-Safe Science podcast, a collection of scientists sharing candid stories about challenges they faced in graduate school, how they overcame them, and advice for current students.
Fail-Safe Science Repository
Dr. Emily Webb
Challenge Type: Committee meetingDr. Emily Webb is an Assistant Professor of Biology at Rockford University in Rockford, Illinois. Her research in graduate school focused on the physiology of color in birds. In her current position, she primarily focuses on teaching undergraduate biology courses, including Anatomy and… Read more
Dr. Kate Weiss
Challenge Type: Finishing the dissertationDr. Kate Weiss is currently an Assistant Professor of Environmental Science at Marist University. Her PhD research focused on understanding how wild carnivores make decisions about what they eat in urban environments. Now, her work focuses on understanding how to promote more sustainable futures… Read more
Dr. Matt Wund
Challenge Type: Qualifying/Comprehensive/Prospectus exam or defenseDr. Matthew Wund is a Professor in the Biology Department at The College of New Jersey, a primarily undergraduate institution, in Ewing, NJ. Matt’s PhD research focused on echolocation in bats, and during his postdoc, his focus switched to behavior, evolution, and phenotypic plasticity in… Read more