There are millions of dollars carefully given (or thrown at) bee
researchers and their labs each year.  Most of it results in little or no
immediate benefit to beekeepers.
But that is not to say that some very good research does get done, some of
which is of direct benefit to beekeepers.

I've been a reviewer for research proposals for many years.  Yes, many are
fishing expeditions, so reviewers are often asked about their opinion for
chance of gaining useful knowledge or practical application (depending upon
the funding group or agency.  I have a long list of unanswered questions re
bee biology and bee management that for years I've tried to interest grad
students in.  But nowadays most seem to be interested in molecular biology
more than getting propolis on their hands.
Beekeepers in general are most interested in applied research -- designed
to provide findings (and answering questions) that they can use to inform
their own management decisions. Take a look at U.C. California's monthly
California Agriculture magazine for an example of applied agricultural
research).

I agree with Tracy re Gro Amdam's work.  I've corresponded with her from
the beginning.  Some researchers focus upon one subject; others are more
generalists.

Let me be the first to say that there are a number of excellent researchers
who over the years have dedicated themselves to applied research, and/or
training the next generation of researchers (one way to measure a person's
long-term contributions).  Many of them have passed on, but I correspond
(or have corresponded with quite a few over the years).

The problem nowadays is that applied research is often not "sexy" enough to
get a paper published in a major journal, and thus of little benefit for a
researcher's career (publish or perish).

But there are a number of young researchers (including two award-winning
high school students who I've recently mentored) who show great promise.  I
speak with many of them at conferences, and encourage and correspond with
many others (two this morning alone).

As Pete points out, even dead ends are valuable, so that we can stop
wasting our time on things.  Take Dave Tarpy's recent presentations on what
his years of research on queen bees have resulted in -- as many or more
unanswered questions than he started with.  But he's eliminated many dead
ends.

FWIW, there is talk of starting a new funding organization, specifically
for targeted applied research of direct value to beekeepers.



Randy Oliver
Grass Valley, CA
530 277 4450
ScientificBeekeeping.com

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