Science soldiers of higher ranks 

Masoud Irani

They say science is strange. 
Yes it is! 
But in an age abounding with machines and scarecrows
More than strangeness it deserves. 

They, searching for science, graduate students,
Like soldiers of old wars, 
Face more depression, more anxiety 
Than other people, by and large. 
And among them, women 
Who fight on in the front, 
Face more depression, more anxiety 
Than other science men at war. 
And above all 
Are transgendered warriors 
Facing more depression, more anxiety 
Than other sci-comrades in arms. 

They say science is strange. 
Yes it is! 
But dark clouds above the battlefield 
Bring more than strangeness. 
The soldiers of higher ranks, 
Anxious, depressed, in the shadowy war 
Cry for help bitterly from caverns deep inside. 

Science is strange. 
Yes, indeed! 
But light is surely needed 
To help sci-soldiers advance.

The Science

The poem is based on a 2018 study conducted by Evans et.al about the mental health issues of graduate students, entitled ‘Evidence for a mental health crisis in graduate education’. The results of this study showed that there was a prevalence of anxious and depressed individuals amongst graduate students. In fact, graduate students were found to be at a significantly higher risk of depression and anxiety compared to the general population. In addition, this study found that amongst graduate students, transgender people and females were found to be at higher risk in comparison to males. Finally they highlighted the need for intervention strategies to help mitigate this condition.

The Poet

Maasoud Irani is a young writer living in Tehran, Iran. He is also interested in science communication and in using a combination of art and science to communicate scientific issues. He has published a short story in Chelcheragh magazine and has written several stories which are about to be published. He got his Masters degree in Tissue Engineering from Amirkabir University of Technology and is now a lecturer at Abrar University of Tehran.

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