Tips to successfully switch research fields: Editorial

A recent article in Nature profiles four researchers who changed research fields and shares their tips for going through this transition. Vinod Suresh (Auckland Bioengineering Institute) recommends joining an experienced team in the new field that can provide technical and social support as the researcher acclimatizes. Audrey Khoo Tze Ting (Duke–National University of Singapore Medical School) advises being well prepared and knowledgeable about the field the researcher is switching into; while Patricia Dankers (Eindhoven University of Technology) recommends building expertise before starting in another field and trusting that previous research experiences will help prepare for any challenges associated with changing fields. Henrique Leitão (University of Lisbon) discusses how to convince sceptics about the switch to another field.