Monthly Archives: September 2014

Is the Royal Society Treating Women Fairly?

Posted on 25 September 2014 by Athene Donald

This year’s announcement regarding successful applicants for Royal Society University Research Fellowships (URFs) has been hailed with deep suspicion by many. Out of 43 awards only 2 went to women and there is no getting around the fact that this … Continue reading →

Posted in Equality, interviews, Science Funding, Unconscious bias, University Research Fellows, Women in science | Comments Off on Is the Royal Society Treating Women Fairly?

What’s Wrong with Conferences?

Posted on 21 September 2014 by Athene Donald

September is customarily a busy month for conferences, often with too many interesting ones that clash. What makes for a good meeting? Exciting talks, which you haven’t heard before (so not just lazy wheeling out of the usual suspects by … Continue reading →

Posted in clocks, Communicating Science, keynote speakers, poster sessions, Science Culture | Comments Off on What’s Wrong with Conferences?

Unacceptable (science) education

Posted on 20 September 2014 by Steve Caplan

For some time now I have been a proponent of including researchers – for example, those with a Ph.D. – in teaching science to high school students. While I have no doubt that the inclusion of a motivated and talented … Continue reading →

Posted in advanced microscopy, advanced placement, biology, creative teaching, education, Golgi, high school, microbody, organelles, Ph.D. degree, Research, science, secondary school, super-resolution microscopy, Teaching, the cell | Comments Off on Unacceptable (science) education

Contraflow

Posted on 18 September 2014 by Frank Norman

I was taught as a child that if you are walking on a road that has no pavement then you should walk on the side of the road so as to face the oncoming traffic. If the cars are driving on … Continue reading →

Posted in Crick | Comments Off on Contraflow

One hundred years old

Posted on 16 September 2014 by Frank Norman

Just a few years back it seemed unlikely that we would ever celebrate our centenary. We were to be rejuvenated exterminated absorbed into a new Institute.  Back in 2007 when this project was announced we expected that 2013 would be the beginning … Continue reading →

Posted in 100NIMR, Books, Film and music, History | Comments Off on One hundred years old

Who Isn’t an Impostor?

Posted on 15 September 2014 by Athene Donald

Last week I attended the last day of the British Science Association‘s Festival in Birmingham. There was a real buzz about the place and it had clearly been an extremely successful few days. I enjoyed hearing Ineke de Moortel – … Continue reading →

Posted in British Science Association, Communicating Science, Impostor syndrome, Paul Nurse, Robin Ince, Science Culture, Steve Cross | Comments Off on Who Isn’t an Impostor?

Popular neuroscience book suggestions

Posted on 14 September 2014 by Stephen

Neuroscience isn’t really my thing, so when my teenage daughter came asking for suggestions of a good popular book on the subject I took to Twitter. Several people kindly made suggestions, while others asked to be notified of the outcome … Continue reading →

Posted in book review, neuroscience, popsci, popular science | Comments Off on Popular neuroscience book suggestions

In which we need more lab coats in the Commons

Posted on 11 September 2014 by Jennifer Rohn

Like many commuters serving as a captive audience on the London Underground, I tend to read the free Evening Standard most nights. I enjoy the op ed pieces by Rosamund Urwin, who has always struck me as both light-hearted and … Continue reading →

Posted in Policy, Politics | Comments Off on In which we need more lab coats in the Commons

Fresh Start, Fresh Anxieties

Posted on 10 September 2014 by Athene Donald

This is the time of year when anxious students-to-be – and their parents – are contemplating their future. Having established that they have got into University X once A level results are known, they have to work out what the … Continue reading →

Posted in Cambridge University, Churchill College, Freshers, Science Culture | Comments Off on Fresh Start, Fresh Anxieties

We strapped this baby into a chair. You won’t believe what happened next!

Posted on 7 September 2014 by rpg
Posted in caption competition, Don't try this at home, Nonsense | Comments Off on We strapped this baby into a chair. You won’t believe what happened next!