Yep. I got that feedback when I lived in Australia for a few years, too. And my response was similar to yours. I lived in southeast GA (practically FL) for 8 years, and that prepared me well enough. You also can avoid the dumb stuff I heard people do with said wildlife (usually involving guns).

Also, I believe SPSP uses the term ECR for people who have a PhD, but who are pre-tenure. I need to double-check that though.

I think using years as a metric favor those who had a more traditional path. I had 2 post-docs over a long time before getting an Assistant Prof position. I am still an ECR in power and status in many ways despite my years of experience.

Thanks for sharing! He talks about his experience of working on Scientific American Frontiers shows in his book. He is genuinely curious and wants to learn from the scientists he interviews. Yet he is quite candid about the mistakes he made early on when learning to interview scientists.

As a reminder, there were separate deadlines this year. Symposia were due earlier, so that is a factor. Also, most people submit for posters and just check the box for single presenter, too. These issues may explain this rare difference.

Purrgil are pretty awesome. They are not only sky whales, but space whales! Although FYI, Star Trek Lower Decks has a space koala that is also pretty cool.