The Analytical Scientist / Issues / 2026 / February / Out of the Basement and Into the Light
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Out of the Basement and Into the Light 

Three Power Listers discuss practical ways to help funders, journals, and fellow scientists understand – and invest in – analytical science

By James Strachan 02/05/2026 4 min read

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5 Key Takeaways

  • 1

    Analytical science must be valued for its accuracy and precision, not just for the outcomes it produces.

  • 2

    The field is often perceived as a service, which undermines its importance in ensuring safety in daily life.

  • 3

    Investment in strong core facilities and trained specialists is essential for the advancement of analytical science.

  • 4

    Respect for the expertise behind analytical measurements is crucial for gaining trust in scientific data.

  • 5

    All stakeholders, including policymakers and fellow scientists, must be engaged to elevate the profile of analytical science.

About the Author(s)

James Strachan

Over the course of my Biomedical Sciences degree it dawned on me that my goal of becoming a scientist didn’t quite mesh with my lack of affinity for lab work. Thinking on my decision to pursue biology rather than English at age 15 – despite an aptitude for the latter – I realized that science writing was a way to combine what I loved with what I was good at. From there I set out to gather as much freelancing experience as I could, spending 2 years developing scientific content for International Innovation, before completing an MSc in Science Communication. After gaining invaluable experience in supporting the communications efforts of CERN and IN-PART, I joined Texere – where I am focused on producing consistently engaging, cutting-edge and innovative content for our specialist audiences around the world.

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