Of Loss, Love, and Lasting Friendships

Abstract

In a recent piece about scientists who marry other scientists, Marx (2024) briefly tells the story of a few couples whose lives (and research) have been enriched for having a like-minded partner (see also the Acknowledgments and the section before the References in Wiltshire and Boersma 2016). One of these scientists states the obvious—that science is too hard to do alone—but breaks away from competitive tendencies in academia to also say that engaging with the right people and setting ego aside can allow one to learn and grow as a scientist. This partnership is what brings joy and progress to their work. Researchers need to have a social network in which they feel comfortable to ask seemingly obvious or basic questions and to fail, without fear of reproach or shaming. Marx and one of the interviewees note that friends can also be partners; this position is not reserved to spouses; (…) “a life in science is infinitely richer if oriented around, connecting with—and staying connected to—the right thought partners.”

Our friendship grew exponentially during our overlapping year as Editorial Fellows, and we kept finding projects that would require that we spend time talking to one another. Consistent and spontaneous interactions about a suite of topics further cemented our friendship: we met twice a month during the RCEF with ASLO Editors and the Wiley publishing team; saw each other (and held events together) during ASLO conferences; had impromptu conversations about the future of scientific publishing and about sharing what we Fellows learn with our peers (e.g., Franco-Santos et al. 2023, 2024); engaged with ASLO and Wiley teams on intense discussions about Open Access publishing and the future of ASLO journals during the Wiley Strategy Day; conducted an ASLO-wide survey on how our members interpret and experience Open Access publishing; and so much more. We also talked a lot about our science—Erin is a salt marsh queen and Rita currently investigates potential carbon sequestration from kelp forests, so we share a curiosity for coastal systems, carbon cycling, and tracers for environmental processes (e.g., stable isotopes and fatty acids). Our friendship continued even after our Fellowships ended. We constantly discuss potential projects to connect us and to enable comparisons between current and emerging blue carbon ecosystems in the United States and Australia (where we reside).

When Rita finished her RCEF tenure, incoming Fellow Frank Akamagwuna asked what she prized most about the program, to which she replied the people that the experience had brought her (Fig. 1). At every ASLO meeting, we see lasting friendship demonstrations from our longer-serving members to one another. Those begin at some point, usually through service—we can attest to it. This piece also serves as a loving friendship letter from Erin to Rita, from Rita to Erin, and from us to you (Fig. 2). We invite you to join the ASLO community and see for yourself. As the Brazilian saying goes, “ASLO is like a mother's heart; we can always fit one more person” (A ASLO é que nem coração de mãe, sempre cabe mais um).

RMF-S is a current Member-at-Large in the ASLO Board of Directors.