Opening remarks for the panel event “Do I Belong in Science?”, held at the Banff International Research Station (BIRS) on February 11, 2026, as part of the workshop.
Written by Maria Martignoni

Do I Belong in Science?

Do I?

Let's be honest. As a forever postdoc, I still ask myself this question several times a day. I often feel like I do not belong here. I do not always understand scientific talks, let alone scientific papers. And yes, I am still in academia, but this is partly because I have not yet fully figured out what else I might be doing instead.

But here is something I have learned over the years: having these doubts does not mean that I am not a great scientist. It simply means that I am a Question Mark person.

I am not an Exclamation Mark.

I admire Exclamation Mark people. They are confident, certain, full of answers and solutions. Sometimes I wish I were like them. But simply, I am not.

I do not have truths; I have hypotheses. Hypotheses that I seek to explore, test, and refine. I am oriented toward the future, toward everything that still remains to be discovered. I keep wondering what lies beyond, what comes next. I keep questioning everything: each result, each assumption, each life choice.

And yes, this can be exhausting.

Question Mark people never really stop, because questions never end. Even when the vastness of what remains to be understood weighs heavily on them and makes them anxious, they keep searching for answers.

But the real problem is not the mountain of work ahead of us. The real loss comes when our questions turn inward, when curiosity becomes self-doubt.

Too often, brilliant Question Mark minds are held back by low confidence or insecurity. They spend their energy doubting their own worth instead of using their mental energy for the world. Sometimes these doubts come from within. Other times, they come from outside, from biases embedded in the communities around us. Biases that can be loud or creep in quietly, without us even noticing.

The key is not to let them take over. The ability to question ourselves is a gift, not a burden. It reflects openness and adaptability, and willingness to see the world from new perspectives. It is what allows science to move forward.

This is why science needs Question Mark people. People who instinctively put a question mark at the end of every claim. People with the courage to face uncertainty rather than hide from it.

So for anyone who has ever wondered whether they belonged here, that very questioning may actually be a sign that you do. It may mean you are a Question Mark person, and that science is a very good fit for you.

I suggest that the next time you listen to a difficult talk and start wondering whether you are in the right place, you try telling yourself: "Oh, nice. My critical thinking is still alive."

Then pause, just for a moment. Look back instead of forward. See how far you have come. Notice the small but real path you have already carved through your effort and perseverance. That path now allows us all to glimpse a little further into the vast sea of knowledge. Take a moment to appreciate it: it is unique, and it matters.

Then move on. Look forward again.

Question the science.
Not yourself.

It is okay to feel vulnerable. It is okay to feel clueless. We are explorers, looking for answers that no one has yet. And we are not alone! We all feel this way, from undergraduates to professors. This is why we need to talk about our experiences: to share stories and emotions that are often left unspoken. We see papers. We see h-indexes. We see awards. But there is so much more beyond numbers and CVs. There are the doubts, the wonders, and the shared challenges that unite us.

So, do I belong in science?

I still ask myself this question several times a day, but I no longer hear it as a sign of weakness. That question mark is a sign of curiosity, of persistence, and of belonging. It is our secret strength, and we need to take care of it.

It is what makes us real scientists.