What kind of specialized research expertise is missing most from the movement? It seems that Open Phil has been commissioning research from experts who aren’t affiliated (or necessarily even value-aligned). In what areas do you think this is a good enough substitute, and in what areas should we get more value-aligned full-time researchers with specialized expertise?
Could you comment on economics, welfare science (farmed and wild), psychology, cognitive science/​neuroscience, philosophy (e.g. philosophy of mind), statistics, and fields related to alt protein? Any others?
I’ve been personally leaning towards economics/​statistics, but have been wondering if more generalist research is fine, although I feel it is much less neglected, given the competition I’ve faced in applying for positions and the impressive credentials of new hires in the space.
Yeah we’ve been commissioning a bunch of research from outside experts. In general we do prefer value-aligned researchers, though the expertise is typically more important. I’m most excited when the two align, as I think it has for instance on Cynthia Schuck and Wladimir Alonso, who are producing a series of welfare assessments for us.
In general I think our greatest needs are for expertise in welfare science /​ biology, economics /​ stats, and animal cognition /​ philosophy of mind. But I think the field as a whole has greater needs for alt protein specific scientific fields.
What kind of specialized research expertise is missing most from the movement? It seems that Open Phil has been commissioning research from experts who aren’t affiliated (or necessarily even value-aligned). In what areas do you think this is a good enough substitute, and in what areas should we get more value-aligned full-time researchers with specialized expertise?
Could you comment on economics, welfare science (farmed and wild), psychology, cognitive science/​neuroscience, philosophy (e.g. philosophy of mind), statistics, and fields related to alt protein? Any others?
I’ve been personally leaning towards economics/​statistics, but have been wondering if more generalist research is fine, although I feel it is much less neglected, given the competition I’ve faced in applying for positions and the impressive credentials of new hires in the space.
Yeah we’ve been commissioning a bunch of research from outside experts. In general we do prefer value-aligned researchers, though the expertise is typically more important. I’m most excited when the two align, as I think it has for instance on Cynthia Schuck and Wladimir Alonso, who are producing a series of welfare assessments for us.
In general I think our greatest needs are for expertise in welfare science /​ biology, economics /​ stats, and animal cognition /​ philosophy of mind. But I think the field as a whole has greater needs for alt protein specific scientific fields.