Monthly Archives: March 2012

Quantitative Skills for All

Posted on March 31, 2012 by Athene Donald

What do social scientists need to know about science and maths? What should schools and universities be doing to make sure they have the necessary skills? This was at the heart of a recent meeting at the British Academy, where … Continue reading →

Posted in Education | Tagged , , , , , | 10 Comments

Is (or was) your PhD an Ordeal?

Posted on March 27, 2012 by Athene Donald

If you answered yes to the question in the title, a recent report suggests you may be a chemist, and more specifically a female chemist.  A study carried out by the UKRC for the RSC about the PhD experience for … Continue reading →

Posted in Research, Science Culture, Women in Science | Tagged , , , | 9 Comments

Taking Precautions

Posted on March 22, 2012 by Athene Donald

I have been reading the biography of Barbara Wootton by Ann Oakley. Baroness Wootton was a remarkable woman  (or, as the title of the book says, A Critical Woman), with an astonishing number of firsts to her name. Born in … Continue reading →

Posted in Science Culture | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Apple(s), Tomatoes, Willetts and Public Engagement

Posted on March 16, 2012 by Athene Donald

It’s National Science and Engineering Week in the UK, or at least it is for most places. In Cambridge we celebrate it with a fortnight, and call it a Festival because there is just so much to squeeze in.  Many … Continue reading →

Posted in Communicating Science, Science Funding | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

Dangerous Assumptions

Posted on March 11, 2012 by Athene Donald

Last week I was put in touch with a reporter from my local newspaper, the Cambridge News, who was writing a story about the University’s Annual Report. They seemed concerned about the lack of women academic staff (and ethnic minorities) … Continue reading →

Posted in Equality, Women in Science | Tagged , , , | 27 Comments