Lifelong Learning

In a field that has changed so much in so few years, it is obvious that lifelong learning is not only beneficial or recommended, but a necessity to continue to be a relevant scientist.  As always, there are unlimited ways to learn, but major options for an astrobiologist are:

Research:
            This includes original research and keeping up with the work of others.  New discoveries can make the material that someone learned in college about an ever-changing field, like astrobiology, obsolete.

Conferences:
            There are several conferences meant for astrobiologists specifically, the eminent ones often have ties to NASA and the European Space Association.  These conferences provide an excellent forum for astrobiologists to present their findings, learn about new developments in their field, and discover other topics that their fellow astrobiologists are studying.

            NASA is affiliated with the Astrobiology Science Conference which meets biannually.  It aims to give astrobiologists a platform on which to share their research and knowledge and discuss the implications of this information and to reach out to the public.  Appropriately, as astrobiology is a very diverse field, these discussions range from interdisciplinary to specialized topics. 

            Europe conducts its own workshop under the European Astrobiology Network Association whose goals are to encourage cooperation inside of Europe, attract youth to astrobiology, and share knowledge. 

Teaching:
            Teaching is the best way to learn, and teaching can enhance one's perspective and increase one's understanding.  Astrobiologists teaching at universities must always keep up to date on the most current research in order to provide the best education to their students.