Researchers’ honest thoughts are more entertaining than you’d expect.
“The peer reviewers just don’t get it.”
“Where did the raw data go?”
“Camping out in a café to finish my research grant application!”
On the evening of December 3, 2024, approximately 50 researchers and representatives from companies supporting SS-F’s initiatives gathered at the Sky Room of Azabudai Hills Mori JP Tower. They participated in a networking event meticulously designed to foster engagement.
Laughter echoing through the venue.
These researchers, who usually spend their days immersed in experiments and studies with serious expressions, were visibly relaxed, sharing stories about their daily lives in the lab. Amid these conversations, sometimes serious, sometimes humorous glimpses into their research lives were captured in the form of Karuta, a traditional Japanese card game.
This initiative, launched by the STELLAR SCIENCE FOUNDATION (SS-F) as it celebrated its third anniversary, brought researchers closer together in an unprecedented way.
SS-F’s Steady Growth Over Three Years – Advancing Toward Even More ‘People-Centric’ Research Support
SS-F Strategic Designer Sean McKelvey
“Our uniqueness lies in the very essence of this community.”
SS-F Strategic Designer Sean McKelvey, in his opening remarks, reflected on SS-F’s three-year journey and spoke with quiet confidence. ‘Born from people, connected by people, and expanded by people.’ This people-centric philosophy of SS-F is already yielding tangible results.
The SS-F Inventor Bridge Program, which invites outstanding young researchers from abroad, has resulted in publications in Nature Communications and JSPS grant acquisitions (Read more about this program here). The Pioneers Host Pioneers (PHP) event, which brought researchers from MIT and Harvard, facilitated direct discussions that sparked new collaborative research projects (Read about the first PHP event here and the second PHP event here).
Moreover, on December 18, 2024, SS-F announced a postdoctoral exchange program between Japan and the U.S. in collaboration with the Chan Zuckerberg Biohub Network.
SS-F’s grand vision—to create a sustainable and rapidly evolving scientific research ecosystem that accelerates groundbreaking discoveries and inventions, advancing science on a global scale—is steadily becoming a reality.
Strengthening Community Bonds Through ‘Research Karuta‘
SS-F GALA 2024, a gathering of researchers from various fields and corporate supporters, was hosted by SS-F. Now in its third year, this annual event expresses gratitude to researchers and corporate supporters who are part of the community.
Each year, GALA features a communication initiative to encourage deeper dialogue among participants.
This time, SS-F introduced a Karuta game themed around ‘Research Realities.’
Participants humorously expressed their everyday experiences, dilemmas, and complaints as researchers in the form of Karuta cards. This activity not only facilitated casual exchanges but also allowed the community to share experiences and spark new ideas for solutions. SS-F envisions developing this Karuta game into a communication tool for onboarding new lab members.
Divided into nine tables of five to six participants, each group was assigned a set of Japanese syllables, and within 40 minutes, they were tasked with completing their Karuta cards.
A Moment of Sharing Honest Thoughts, Filled with Empathy and Laughter
Participants first jotted down their ideas on sticky notes, then collaboratively refined them into Karuta reading cards.
“Endless peer reviews, no matter how many you finish.”
“I always end up doing only the experiments I like.”
“Waiting forever for positive data to emerge.”
Each table buzzed with excitement as researchers shared their relatable moments. Even grievances that might usually be difficult to express were naturally shared through the Karuta format. Interestingly, even participants from corporate management backgrounds found many of these “research realities” relatable to business challenges. This led to lively discussions and frequent exclamations of “That’s so true!” accompanied by laughter.
51 Cards Capturing the Everyday Life of Researchers
Finally, it was time to unveil the completed Karuta. The 51-character deck, including 46 Japanese hiragana and 5 English letters (A, B, C, D, E) for international participants, encapsulated the joys and struggles of researchers.
Some cards humorously captured research habits:
- “Camping out in a café to finish my research grant application.”
- “Surprisingly, research progresses better on holidays.”
Others reflected dreams:
- “If I ever receive an absurdly large budget, I’d buy that machine.”
Expressions of frustration also resonated deeply with the audience:
- “I finally got it right, but the reviewers don’t see it.”
One particularly amusing card read “Sushi Matters,” recounting a lab’s tradition of serving sushi at open house events to attract top students. Another card, “Better to Have ChatGPT Than an Annoying Boss,” had participants bursting into laughter. Other relatable research blunders, like “Ordering the wrong batch size” and “Losing track of raw data,” kept the room filled with amusement.
A Space Where Diverse Perspectives Intersect
After the Karuta game, participants shared their thoughts on the event:
“I was impressed by the high level of motivation among researchers.” “I could engage in open dialogue with people from completely different fields.” “I was surprised by the high quality of this community.”
Many attendees also expressed excitement about expanding their networks:
“It would be great if researchers could develop relationships where they can reach out to each other when needed.” “This could serve as a reference for lab communication.”
One particularly striking observation was: “SS-F is constantly revitalized by the steady influx of new members.” This reaffirmed that SS-F’s commitment to a people-centric approach is bearing fruit.
New Possibilities Born from Connections
“Being in a space where people from different fields come together is always inspiring.”
In his closing remarks, Founder and Executive Director Takanori Takebe acknowledged the presence of attendees from New York and Cambridge, emphasizing the importance of cherishing each encounter and expressing gratitude for these connections.
SS-F Founder and Executive Director Takanori Takebe
The Karuta created that evening encapsulated the daily lives of researchers—sometimes humorous, sometimes deeply personal. But more than just “relatable moments,” they became a powerful tool for researchers to understand and support one another.
By focusing on each researcher’s potential and fostering a strong community, SS-F is undeniably paving the way for the future of scientific research in Japan.
[Interview and Writing by Mitsuko Ichioka, Photos by Kayo Sekiguchi]
