Monthly Archives: May 2011

Flutterby

Posted on 31 May 2011 by rpg

Identify this.

Posted in butterfly, Science-less Sunday | Comments Off on Flutterby

Making Hay

Posted on 31 May 2011 by Athene Donald

You know how it is with buses, you wait for ages and then 3 come along at once. Well that seems to be what has happened with me with debates. Not that I was consciously waiting for them, but certainly … Continue reading →

Posted in Communicating Science, debate, Hay Philosophy Festival, Human enhancement, Mary Warnock | Comments Off on Making Hay

In need of a distraction

Posted on 29 May 2011 by Steve Caplan

I am in desperate need of some light and cheery distraction (where’s Cath when I need her?!). For the second time in the past four months I am suffering from some kind of ergonomic misery that I seem to have … Continue reading →

Posted in allergies, cat, cat-lover, evolutionary throwback, humor, medication, pain, vengeful feline | Comments Off on In need of a distraction

Job or vocation

Posted on 28 May 2011 by Austin

I have recently been doing a bit of live on-line virtual commentating. Strange but true. I’m not sure exactly why. Perhaps it is another of my frustrated ambitions to be a sports commentator (of which more later).

Posted in chess, conferences, Nerdishness, The Interwebz, The Life Scientific | Comments Off on Job or vocation

The Best Seminar?

Posted on 28 May 2011 by Stephen

What is the best seminar that you have ever attended? And what made it so good? I pondered this question after my name appeared on the list of speakers for our internal divisional seminar series this term. I thought that, … Continue reading →

Posted in communication, FMDV, Fun, presentation, Protein Crystallography, science | Comments Off on The Best Seminar?

In which I play to win

Posted on 26 May 2011 by Jennifer Rohn

If running a scientific project is like cooking, then my usual modus operandi in the lab is to prepare a lavish, many-course meal. The meal, in this analogy, is the overarching goal of what I want to understand, and each … Continue reading →

Posted in careers | Comments Off on In which I play to win

Career Progression and the Research Landscape

Posted on 26 May 2011 by Athene Donald

Career progression for postdocs is a key issue that affects the health of our science base. It formed the basis for a discussion with Science Minister David Willetts at the Royal Institution this week, an event hosted by Evan Harris … Continue reading →

Posted in careers, David Willetts, postdocs, Research, Royal Institution, Science Funding, scienceisvital | Comments Off on Career Progression and the Research Landscape

Marmite

Posted on 25 May 2011 by Henry Gee

And in other news, word has reached mes oreilles that the authorities in a small country far away of which we know very little have banned the sale of Marmite, a popular English comestible. For those of you who are … Continue reading →

Posted in marmite, Research, Silliness, Writing & Reading | Comments Off on Marmite

Use it or lose it?

Posted on 24 May 2011 by Steve Caplan

Ever wonder what the effect of technology is on our developing brains? This is something that I’ve been thinking about for some time now. I recently put some of these thoughts into words in my blog entitled: “PhD survival: is … Continue reading →

Posted in brain development, critical reasoning, education, GPS, London cabbies, navigation, Research, science, skills, technology | Comments Off on Use it or lose it?

Death by a thousand cuts: is it time for a change?

Posted on 22 May 2011 by Sylvia McLain

Just in case I wasn’t paying enough attention to the news or even Twitter, last week I got an email from the EPSRC saying.. As a result of the 50% reduction to the Research Councils capital budget, EPSRC has taken … Continue reading →

Posted in Science Funding, Science policy, UK Science policy | Comments Off on Death by a thousand cuts: is it time for a change?