Have you heard of the field of translational medicine? I've found it a tremendously helpful analogy for my own work.
The field focuses specifically on trying to turn basic science discoveries into possible paths for clinical application. This is a useful idea in many fields! 1/5
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One key insight: this translation is *foundationally* interdisciplinary. With increasing specialization, it's often true that neither the relevant scientists nor the relevant clinicians/bioengineers can see a path to application on their own. They can only see together. 2/5
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Translation suggests unidirectionality. Indeed, the field used to frame itself as "bench-to-bedside," suggesting that the bench produces ideas which the bedside consumes. But they later abandoned that framing, realizing it's a loop: contact with application informs the bench. 3/5
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I love that the field recognizes two distinct barriers: 1) translating basic science into possible drugs, diagnoses, etc; 2) translating clinical research into everyday practice. These are very different problems, and both must be solved to benefit patients. 4/5
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I think lots of fields could use some "translational medicine"!
As for my own work: I believe there are many powerful ideas in cognitive science desperately waiting for the same seeing-together insights, bench-to-bedside feedback loops, and concern for everyday practice. 5/5
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How do you get into a career like that? Do you have to break through the specialization barrier on one side first or can you progress from a translational novice, walking the line the whole way?
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Medicine actually does a pretty great job; you aren’t the only one looking to the field from afar
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Thanks for sharing ! I'm thinking a lot about translation of research are.na/eirini-malliar. What is the book/paper you are referencing above?? Please keep exploring the space :)
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A few themes that come to mind: deliberate practice, self-explanation, collaborative learning, emotional salience, tutoring, metacognition (big umbrella), flow, experiential learning (& embodied learning specifically), extended cognition, the spacing effect outside memorization…
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