Follow Current Events

General Knowledge
Having a general knowledge of current events in your field of research does more than keep you abreast of the latest research results – it keeps you poised to learn about and explore new opportunities.  The famous expression “chance favors the prepared mind” echoes this sentiment. 

Specific Applications
This same philosophy should extend beyond the “four walls” of your chosen field to physics, to science more broadly, to trends in higher education and industrial R&D, and to science policy and global events.  From a parochial standpoint, understanding how your research interests relate to the "outside world" beyond your subfield is essential to advocating for its continued support and can reveal potential new research opportunities.

News Resources

Physics News

• APS Home Page
   
• Physics: Spotlighting Exceptional Research
  Physics RSS Feed
   
• Physical Review Focus Website
  Subscribe to Focus Weekly Email
   
• APS Weekly NewsBrief
  Subscribe to NewsBrief Weekly Email
   
• American Institute of Physics Website
  Subscribe to AIP Weekly Email

Science and Engineering

• Science News (weekly magazine with annual subscription)
• Chemical and Engineering News
• MRS Bulletin
• IEEE Spectrum
• Photonics Spectra (monthly free magazine)
• Optics and Photonics News
• Mechanical Engineering Magazine

Trends in Industrial R&D

• R&D Magazine

Trends in Higher Education

• Inside Higher Ed

Science Policy

• AIP FYI Feed
• ScienceInsider Blog
• NSF Science and Engineering Indicators

General Resources

• How Stuff Works