#52 – Michael Aird on how to do Impact-Driven Research

Michael Aird is a senior research manager at Rethink Priorities, where he co-leads the Artificial Intelligence Governance and Strategy team alongside Amanda El-Dakhakhni. Before that, he conducted nuclear risk research for Rethink Priorities and longtermist macrostrategy research for Convergence Analysis, the Center on Long-Term Risk, and the Future of Humanity Institute, which is where we know each other from. Before that, he was a teacher and a stand up comedian. We discuss: Whether you should stay in academia if you want to do impactful research How to start looking for roles at impact-driven research organisations What simple changes can improve how you write about your research The uses of 'reductionism' and quantitative thinking The concept of ‘reasoning transparency’ Michael’s experience investigating nuclear security Key links: Michael's posts on the EA Forum Interested in EA/longtermist research careers? Here are my top recommended resources Don’t think, just apply! (usually) List of EA funding opportunities Rethink Priorities Reasoning Transparency A central directory for open research questions You can find more links, and read the full transcript, in this episode's write-up: hearthisidea.com/episodes/aird. If you have any feedback, you can get a free book for filling out our new feedback form. You can also get in touch through our website or on Twitter. Consider leaving us a review wherever you're listening to this — it's the best free way to support the show. Thanks for listening!