Follow Current Events

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.  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.

Resources for Following Physics

• Physics: Spotlighting Exceptional Research
  
• Physical Review Focus (weekly email)
• APS Weekly Newsbrief (weekly email)
  
• American Institute of Physics (weekly email)
  

Resources for Following Other Scientific and Engineering Fields

• 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
  

Resources for Following Trends in Industrial R&D

• R&D Magazine

Resources for Following Trends in Higher Education

• Inside Higher Ed

Resources for Following Science Policy

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

General Resources

• How Stuff Works