Category Archives: Writing

In which science writer wanna-bes are given a chance at fame and glory

Posted on January 25, 2013 by Jennifer Rohn

Are you a early-career cell biologist (PhD student or post-doc) in the UK with a flair for the pen? Do you like to communicate about your science using everyday words and sentences structures other than the passive voice? Or maybe … Continue reading →

Posted in science funding, The profession of science, Writing | Leave a comment

In which I get my mojo back

Posted on January 1, 2013 by Jennifer Rohn

So 2012 has drawn to a close, a new year is upon us and London’s seemingly endless broodiness gave way to brilliant sunshine today. Out in our local park this morning, strewn with spent fireworks and empty Champagne bottles, unusually … Continue reading →

Posted in LabLit, Nostalgia, Writing | 5 Comments

In which a classic tale of DNA and discovery is recast

Posted on December 20, 2012 by Jennifer Rohn

As for many people in the molecular biology profession, my first reading of The Double Helix by James Watson was a revelation. I can’t recall how old I was – probably in my late teens. I had already decided I … Continue reading →

Posted in LabLit, Nostalgia, The profession of science, Women in science, Writing | 6 Comments

In which lab lit storms New York

Posted on December 4, 2012 by Jennifer Rohn

Last night my publisher emailed me in high excitement to tell me that I, and my magazine LabLit.com, had received some positive coverage in The New York Times. Do have a read of this (freely available) piece by Katherine Bouton … Continue reading →

Posted in LabLit, Writing | 7 Comments

In which I am not a science cheerleader

Posted on November 29, 2012 by Jennifer Rohn

There is something seductive about the scientific profession: it exerts a gravity so powerful that it can hoover all of the surrounding universe into its warped perspective. If you have your heart set on being a scientist, you set off … Continue reading →

Posted in Careers, LabLit, Scientific thinking, Staring into the abyss, The profession of science, Writing | 28 Comments

In which I powder my nose

Posted on November 9, 2012 by Jennifer Rohn

It’s rather disconcerting to enter a stall in a public lavatory, sit down – and see your own name staring back at you on the inner door advertising. Does this mean I’ve really hit the big-time? /Ducks in preparation for … Continue reading →

Posted in LabLit, Silliness, Writing | 5 Comments

In which numbers lie – except when they flatter us

Posted on October 10, 2012 by Jennifer Rohn

Bibliometrics have been making me cross recently. In the past month, I’ve stumbled across two instances where journal impact factors were being used in a grossly inappropriate way to assess the worth and quality of scientist colleagues. This exposure in … Continue reading →

Posted in LabLit, Scientific papers, The profession of science, Writing | 20 Comments

In which they don’t make authorship like they used to

Posted on September 24, 2012 by Jennifer Rohn

I recently had the pleasure of helping to judge the Max Perutz Science Writing Prize competition, held by the Medical Research Council in collaboration with the London Metro newspaper. The brief for aspiring young writers was to explain why their … Continue reading →

Posted in Science journalism, Scientific papers, The profession of science, Writing | 25 Comments

In which fantasy informs reality – and saves the planet

Posted on September 11, 2012 by Jennifer Rohn

The discussion about what fiction can do for science is best encapsulated by the often heard, emblematic plea: Where’s my bloody jetpack, then? Okay, so the technorati may still be earthbound on Segways while they wait for the price of … Continue reading →

Posted in LabLit, Science fiction, Writing | 10 Comments

In which I am not worthy

Posted on June 27, 2012 by Jennifer Rohn

I am still pinching myself. The good folks from the Edinburgh Book Festival have invited me to get up on stage with one of my favorite authors, Neal Stephenson, to discuss the importance of science fiction on science fact. The … Continue reading →

Posted in LabLit, Nostalgia, Science fiction, Writing | 8 Comments