Athma

My next plant-soil feedback theory paper with @raf_dandrea is out in @Ecology_Letters onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/el… -We show that our formulation with an explicit conditionable soil variable leads to a richer set of outcomes than both the std. PSF formulation and LV competition. (1/5)

My new book, "Social Influence and the Logic of Collective Action", is now listed in the Princeton Univ Press catalog. It brings together work on social norms, attitudes, beliefs, cooperation, polarization, and online behavior. The TOC is attached. press.princeton.edu/books/ebook/97…

"The cultural evolution of pluralistic ignorance" pnas.org/doi/full/10.10…

Good morning from Banff.

The evolution of zero-sum and positive-sum worldviews pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pn…

Our article on the challenges and opportunities in studying host-microbe symbioses is now published in Cell Host & Microbe! sciencedirect.com/science/articl…

Hiring a *permanent* programmer in ecological modelling at my lab @UniBonn. We mechanistically model plant communities, island biogeography, sp. range dynamics, eco-evo feedbacks, diversity gradients, tropical forests, vascular epiphytes. Pls rt! shorturl.at/Bzzdt

Today, I complete 15 years as a faculty member at #IISERPune. I have attempted to put together a list (based on my blogs) of some lessons that I have learnt so far. A disclaimer to note is that this list is by no means a comprehensive one, but a text of self-reflection from my viewpoint as an Indian academic. Of course, I write this in my personal capacity. So here it is.. 1. People First, Infrastructure Next As an experimental physicist, people and infrastructure in the workplace are of paramount importance. When I am forced to prioritize between them, I have chosen people over infrastructure. I am extremely fortunate to have worked with, and continue to work with, excellent students, faculty colleagues, and administrative staff members. A good workplace is mainly defined by the people who occupy it. I do not neglect the role of infrastructure in academia, especially in a country like India, but people have a greater impact on academic life. 2. Create Internal Standards In academia, there will always be evaluations and judgments on research, teaching, and beyond. Every academic ecosystem has its own standards, but they are generalized and not tailored to individuals. It was important for me to define what good work meant for myself. As long as internal standards are high and consistently met, external evaluation becomes secondary. This mindset frees the mind and allows for growth, without unnecessary comparisons. 3. Compare with Yourself, Not Others The biggest stress in academic life often arises from comparison with peers. I’ve found peace and motivation in comparing my past with my present. Set internal benchmarks. Be skeptical of external metrics. Strive for a positive difference over time. 4. Constancy and Moderation Intellectual work thrives not on intensity alone, but on constancy. Most research outcomes evolve over months and years. Constant effort with moderation keeps motivation high and the work enjoyable. Binge-working is tempting, but rarely effective for sustained intellectual output. 5. Long-Term Work We often overestimate what we can do in a day or a week, and underestimate what we can do in a year. Sustained thought and work over time can build intellectual and technical monuments. Constancy is underrated. 6. Self-Mentoring Much of the academic advice available is tailored for Western systems. Some of it is transferable to Indian contexts, but much of it is not. In such situations, I find it useful to mentor myself by learning from the lives and work of people who have done extraordinary science in India. I have been deeply inspired by many people, including M. Visvesvaraya, Ashoke Sen, R. Srinivasan, and Gagandeep Kang. 7. Write Regularly—Writing Is Thinking Writing is a tool to think. Not just formal academic writing, but any articulation of thought, journals, blogs, drafts, clarifies and sharpens the mind. Many of my ideas have taken shape only after I started writing about them. Writing is part of the research process, not just a means of communicating its outcomes. 8. Publication is an outcome, not a goal Publication is just one outcome of doing research. The act of doing the work itself is very important. It’s where the real intellectual engagement happens. Focus on the process, not just the destination. 9. Importance of History and Philosophy of Physics Ever since my undergraduate days, I have been interested in the history and philosophy of science, especially physics. Although I never took a formal course, over time I have developed a deep appreciation for how historical and philosophical perspectives shape scientific understanding. They have helped me answer the fundamental question, “Why do I do what I do?” Reflecting on the evolution of ideas in physics, how they emerged, changed, and endured, has profoundly influenced both my teaching and research. 10. Value of Curiosity-Driven Side Projects Some of the most fulfilling work I’ve done has emerged from side projects, not directly tied to funding deadlines or publication pressure, but driven by sheer curiosity. These projects, often small and exploratory, have helped me learn new tools, ask new questions, and sometimes even open up new directions in research. Curiosity, when protected from utilitarian pressures, can be deeply transformative. 11. Professor as a Post-doc A strategy I found useful is to treat myself as a post-doc in my own lab. In India, retaining long-term post-docs is difficult. Hence, many hands-on skills and subtle knowledge are hard to transfer. During the lockdown, I was the only person in the lab for six months, doing experiments, rebuilding setups, and regaining technical depth. That experience was invaluable. 12. Teaching as a Social Responsibility Scientific social responsibility is a buzzword, but for me, it finds its most meaningful expression in teaching. The impact of good teaching is often immeasurable and long-term. Watching students grow is among the most rewarding experiences in academia. Local, visible change matters. 13. Teaching Informally Matters Teaching need not always be formal. Informal teaching, through conversations, mentoring, and public outreach, can be more effective and memorable. It is free of rigid expectations and evaluations. If possible, teach. And teach with joy. As Feynman showed us, it is a great way to learn. 14. Foster Open Criticism In my group, anyone is free to critique my ideas, with reason. This open culture has been liberating and has helped me learn. It builds mutual respect and a more democratic intellectual space. 15. Share Your Knowledge If possible, teach. Sharing knowledge is a fundamental part of academic life and enriches both the teacher and the learner. The joy of passing on what you know is priceless. 16. Social Media: Effective If Used Properly Social media, if used responsibly, is a powerful tool, especially in India. It can bridge linguistic and geographical divides, connect scientists across the world, and communicate science to diverse audiences. For Indian scientists, it is a vital instrument of outreach and dialogue. My motivation to start the podcast was in this dialogue and self-reflection. 17. Emphasis on Mental and Physical Health In my group, our foundational principle is clear: good health first, good work next. Mental and physical well-being are not optional; they are necessary conditions for a sustainable, meaningful academic life. There is no glory in research achieved at the cost of one’s health. 18. Science, Sports, and Arts: A Trinity I enjoy outdoor sports like running, swimming, and cricket. Equally, I love music, poetry, and art from all cultures. This trinity of pursuits—science, sports, and the arts—makes us better human beings and enriches our intellectual and emotional lives. They complement and nourish each other. 19. Build Compassion into Science None of this matters if the journey doesn’t make you a better human being. Be kind to students, collaborators, peers, and especially yourself. Scientific research, when done well, elevates both the individual and the collective. It has motivated me to humanize science. 20. Academia Can Feed the Stomach, Brain, and Heart Academia, in its best form, can feed your stomach, brain and heart. Nurturing and enabling all three is the overarching goal of academics. And perhaps the goal of humanity. My academic journey so far has given me plenty of reasons to love physics, India and humanity. Hopefully, it has made me a better human being. This was my recent blog post. Link in reply.

#postdoctoralopportunity @AshokaUniv If you are interested in Behaviour, Ecology, or Evolution work please reach out to me. The application process is simple and the deadline is 30th April! Please share in your circles. ashoka.edu.in/ashoka-post-do…

🐜 If you are interested in studying ant systematics, diversification, and trait evolution, we are looking for a PhD student to join our lab in 2025. 🐜 For more details please check out our lab website: aparnalajmi.weebly.com Entrance exam: researchadmissions.gitam.edu 🙏 RT

I urge you to read this. The doubt, success, growth process hits home for countless academic trainees. I was on the mentor side of Maria's journey; She has the courage and heart to put the journey on the table. Below are a few quotes that stand out 🧵: science.org/content/articl…

If you are interested in biogeography, speciation, diversification, and community assembly in tropical forests, please contact me at jahnavi@csirccmb.org. We are looking for a PhD student to join our lab in Aug 2025 #biodiversity #WesternGhats #EasternGhats #Arthropods

Indian of Institute of Science is not only an university but also a green space located in the heart of the city. Its avenues are planted with beautiful shade giving trees and some of the avenue names are also named after the trees that border them.

Cultural tightness and resilience against environmental shocks in nonindustrial societies | PNAS pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pn…

Cultural evolution: Where we have been and where we are going (maybe) | PNAS pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pn…

I'm recruiting a PhD student at Dartmouth College through the EEES graduate program this year! Application deadline is Dec 1. Please reach out if you are interested in #aDNA, population history, community engagement theory and methods development raquelfleskes.com/about-3

New paper led by Kristen Jovanelly and Crispy Su from our lab on Agroforestry transitions in a rapidly changing climate. Check it out, open access here: doi.org/10.1080/216835…

@gerlame I feel there is some missing context which is going to make someone mad!

-Stay tuned for the next PSF paper with some great collaborators where we propose an experiment to parameterize our new PSF model! (5/5)

...although limiting similarity always holds. Weak +ve PSF decreases diversity. -We also reinforce our previous result that +ve PSF can cause local coexistence when the species prefer similar soil conditions and condition the soil similarly @Ecology esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.10… (4/5)

-In std. cases, two sp. either (i) coexist, (ii) weaker competitor loses or (iii) priority effects - based on initial density -We have a larger set of outcomes; based on soil history (i) both sp. lose, (ii) weaker competitor wins, (iii) priority effects, or (iv) coexistence (2/5)