Author Archives: Stephen

Compose yourself

Posted on November 23, 2024 by Stephen

Apologies, this will be obvious to some, but I have seen enough so-so images on social media to convince me there are others who could post much better pictures if they took just a little bit more care. Smartphone cameras … Continue reading →

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Leaving Imperial

Posted on October 31, 2024 by Stephen

Today is my last day at Imperial College London. It marks the completion of exactly 29 years as a member of staff. I joined Imperial as a young lecturer in Physics on 1st November 1995 and have travelled a long … Continue reading →

Posted in Science, Scientific Life | 10 Comments

Abandon the REF?

Posted on October 10, 2024 by Stephen

On Tuesday evening I was asked by Research Professional News for my views on a new report from think tank UKDayOne, which is calling for the abolition of the Research Excellence Framework, unlovingly known as the REF. The report is … Continue reading →

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Can scientific productivity be optimized?

Posted on September 26, 2024 by Stephen

  This is a repost of an article that was originally published on the Research on Research Institute website. Comments welcome!  It is a truth universally acknowledged that scientists who take greater risks are more likely to make important discoveries. … Continue reading →

Posted in Science | 1 Comment

On the Freedom of Misunderstanding of Speech

Posted on January 31, 2024 by Stephen

“The Ruffian” is great title for Ian Leslie’s Substack given his predilection for roughing up lazy thinking. I first came across him as the author of “Conflicted”, an excellent book about how to disagree constructively, a practice he frequently deploys … Continue reading →

Posted in Equality Diversity & Inclusion, Science & Art, Science culture, Scientific Life | 4 Comments

Books of 2023

Posted on January 1, 2024 by Stephen

A combination of life’s distractions, ill discipline and slow reading mean that I have only managed to finish 11 books this year. I am almost embarrassed to admit to such a paltry tally. There are people who can rip through … Continue reading →

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Photos of 2023

Posted on December 30, 2023 by Stephen

I took over 2800 photos in 2023. Actually, I took a lot more because we went on safari in the summer and I have worked hard to cull as many shots that I could from that trip. Even so, that … Continue reading →

Posted in Photography | 2 Comments

An open letter on EDI matters to the Secretary of State for the Department of Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT)

Posted on November 10, 2023 by Stephen

The letter below started out as a ‘closed’ communication sent to DSIT on 11th October but in the absence of any response, despite two reminders, and the revelation in the meantime that the Secretary of State herself sometimes has  occasion … Continue reading →

Posted in Equality Diversity & Inclusion, Science & Politics | Comments Off on An open letter on EDI matters to the Secretary of State for the Department of Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT)

Kenya: Where the Wild Things Are

Posted on September 3, 2023 by Stephen

Everyone we knew who had been on safari told us they’d had such an amazing experience that I was worried our expectations for our trip to Kenya were being set too high. I needn’t have been concerned. For six days … Continue reading →

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Why Succession failed me – just

Posted on July 8, 2023 by Stephen

I have been trying to put my finger on why I have found Succession — HBO’s must-see series about fictional US media mogul Logan Roy and his dysfunctional family — to be at once utterly compelling and annoyingly dissatisfying. The … Continue reading →

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A day in Auschwitz

Posted on May 8, 2023 by Stephen

Last week I visited Auschwitz. I find myself hesitating to write or say anything because I can’t find the words to convey the horror of the place and, in any case, so much has already been written and said far … Continue reading →

Posted in History of Science | 1 Comment

The separation of life and death

Posted on April 15, 2023 by Stephen

Who is that stranger in my father’s bed? Those sunken eyes The concave cheeks Salted with stubble The thinned grey hair Plastered to a narrow skull. I have lost the man I loved. In truth it had been a long … Continue reading →

Posted in Philosophy | 3 Comments