Impact of null results in a PhD

Null results are often overlooked in academic publishing, yet they play a critical role in advancing science with honesty and integrity.

In this episode, we sit down with Marietta Zille, an Assistant Professor at the University of Vienna, to explore the impact of null findings during a PhD and how they can shape both research and researchers. Marietta shares her journey through the highs and lows of working with inconclusive data, which challenges the stigma often associated with "failed" experiments. We explore how embracing null results can foster scientific rigour, encourage transparency, and open unexpected career pathways.

Marietta offers thoughtful reflections and practical advice for PhD students and early-career researchers navigating uncertainty in their work. Whether you are in the middle of writing your thesis or mentoring someone, this episode sheds light on the often-unspoken value of what doesn't go as planned.