Scientists are, by necessity, writers.
Chapter writing offers a breather from these higher-pressure literary demands, whether it is for a published version of a symposium talk, a chapter for a textbook, or an analysis of a specific research area. Penning a chapter can be an intellectually invigorating experience, say those who've done it, with side benefits. His chapter writing has led to valuable collaborations and invitations to speak in interesting places, and it has enabled him to identify unexplored research areas that could attract funding, he adds. A chapter based on a talk is usually solicited before the meeting, enabling the contributor to organize spoken words in a way that translates easily into written words. Friendship led John Alcock, Regents professor of biology at Arizona State University in Tempe, into chapter writing.