Monthly Archives: January 2013

Response to House of Lords Science and Technology Committee Call for Evidence on Open Access

In the UK the parliamentary House of Lords Select Committee on Science and Technology is conducting an enquiry into the implementation of the government’s policy on open access. Last Tuesday they took oral evidence from Dame Janet Finch (which you … Continue reading

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Looking Landwards

My pal Ian Whates gave up the rat race to do what he loved – write and publish SF. He’s been a regular contributor to the Futures SF series in Your Favourite Weekly Professional Science Magazine Beginning With N for … Continue reading

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Like butter over too much bread….

Beginning of the year Forbes published its Ten Least Stressful Jobs of 2013. Number 1? University professor with a helpful salary guide – median (US) salary $62,000/year – just in case someone decides they might want to change jobs immediately. … Continue reading

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In which we feel the estrogen love

Yesterday was a mixed day for women in science. Bright and early in the morning, I sat plugged into Skype waiting for the BBC World Service to interview me about subconscious bias against female scientists. The news hook was a … Continue reading

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Undue Influence?

If the newspapers are to be believed – and that’s a big if – then television has an awful lot to answer for when it comes to which university courses are over-subscribed. In quick succession last week, stories were run … Continue reading

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I (DON’T!) smell gas…

Our fireplace, recently. Do you smell gas?! What a day!

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ZOMG HOCKEY POOL!!!

I honestly didn’t think we’d get any NHL hockey this year, but just like that I’m already double booked for the first Canucks game on Saturday and committed to three hockey pools*… …including this one! We’re using the CBC pool … Continue reading

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Lab safety: who’s on the hook?

I’m shamefully behind on my blog reading, and therefore didn’t see Richard’s excellent article on lab safety until the Guardian had already closed comments. I’ll therefore have to relate my story as its own post, instead of the comment I’d … Continue reading

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Culture, Class and Quakers

Last week Melvyn Bragg ran a special series of In Our Time discussing the meaning of culture in both the past and present.  Because of the timing of the programme I rarely listen to it, although it’s great for listening … Continue reading

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Guilty laughter. But still laughter.

As I sat here today, wrestling with an intransigent Master’s thesis (the thesis is NOT mine, though the intransigence is), as well as the sheer existential gloom of being back at The Bunker (aka the Medical School Building) after the … Continue reading

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