New Insect Systematics Position

[Yves Samyn]

Dear colleague,

As a member of the Belgian GTI National Focal Point, I am occupied
nearly daily with the tackling of the so-called taxonomy impediment. It
is from this point of view that your posting on Taxacom regarding PEET
and TOL has caught my attention.

I was nevertheless a bit surprised of your negative undertone; for sure
these projects have boosted not only the advancement of taxonomy as a
science, but have also established new research positions (even though
only for limited project-time). One would think that cherishing,
defending and actively participating in such initiatives is the best
tactic. Obviously, all can be done better, but if enough cold water
falls on the same hot tin roof, the latter will cool…much to the
pleasure of Liz the cat;-)

Be it as it may, and given my active involvement in finding ways to
expedite standing taxonomic capacity (especially in/for developing
countries), I would be most interested in learning your alternatives for
before mentioned NSF project.

I thank you in advance for sharing your insights with me.

Your sincerely,

Yves Samyn
Belgian GTI NFP

r.flowers wrote:

>On 11/23/05 12:38 PM, "John Pinto" <jpinto at UCR.EDU> wrote:
>
>
>
>>At long last... a new position in insect systematics (thanks due in
>>large part from the NSF funding initiatives through PEET and TOL).
>>For a copy of the job announcment (at U.C. Riverside)
>>
>>
>
>While it's good to see any taxonomic position opening, and I wish Dr. Pinto
>and the candidate every success, I don't see that this is a very impressive
>advertisement for PEET or TOL.  This is an example of the rather generic
>"taxonomy + whatever" position that has been available in small numbers all
>along.
>NSF programs like PEET, TOL, and BS&I have been heavily promoted as the
>solution to the taxonomic impediment.  However, after almost 10 years there
>is little evidence that they have made a significant difference either in
>the production of taxonomic products or in improving the employment outlook
>for taxonomists.
>
>Wills Flowers
>Center for Biological Control
>Florida A&M Univ.
>
>.
>
>
>

--
Dr Yves Samyn
Tutor, Belgian Focal Point to the Global Taxonomy Initiative
Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences
Vautierstraat 29
B-1000  BRUSSELS    (Belgium)

Tel.:+32 2 627 41 24
Fax:+32 2 627 41 41
Direct email: yves.samyn at naturalsciences.be
Focal Point email: cbd-gti at naturalsciences.be
Web: http://bch-cbd.naturalsciences.be/