Monthly Archives: February 2015

Why Can’t a Woman be more like a Man?

Posted on 27 February 2015 by Athene Donald

Last autumn there were some shocking figures released by the Royal Society regarding the new cohort of University Research Fellows (URFs): only two out of 43 were women. Many of us were very disappointed and depressed by these figures. I … Continue reading →

Posted in Equality, Paul Nurse, Royal Society, University Research Fellows, Women in science | Comments Off on Why Can’t a Woman be more like a Man?

On immortality

Posted on 23 February 2015 by rpg

From the “Making dreams come true” department, we recently had a sauna installed at the new gaff. Warming up It’s very nice, and you should know that South Eastern trains have a special, hidden, weekend fare that lets you use … Continue reading →

Posted in immortality, Me, Nonsense, sauna | Comments Off on On immortality

Contemplating Education Matters

Posted on 22 February 2015 by Athene Donald

This past week it was announced that I would be assuming the Presidency of the British Science Association (the BSA, formerly simply the British Association or the BA). It is a great honour to be asked to follow in the … Continue reading →

Posted in British Science Association, DCMS, education, Vision for STEM education | Comments Off on Contemplating Education Matters

Music and Disease

Posted on 17 February 2015 by Athene Donald

When one is the parent of a small child it is well-known one catches every bug going, as their own uninitiated immune systems succumb to one cold after another which they can transmit, often with more serious diseases mixed in. … Continue reading →

Posted in academia, Camden School for Girls, LSSO, Micaela Comberti, viola | Comments Off on Music and Disease

In which I invite them in

Posted on 16 February 2015 by Jennifer Rohn

Although engaging with the public about science is famously not about – heaven forbid – ‘teaching’ it, the two endeavors do share some common strategies. I’ve been organizing and executing a lot of undergraduate educational sessions these past few terms, … Continue reading →

Posted in Science talking, Scientific thinking, Silliness, students, Teaching | Comments Off on In which I invite them in

Did someone say “cold”?

Posted on 16 February 2015 by Richard Wintle

With whatever the current digital version of “mercury” is dipping to an overnight low of 25 below*, and an expected daytime high tomorrow of only two degrees higher, I for one am not planning on venturing outside unless I absolutely … Continue reading →

Posted in backyard, bird, hawk, nature, Photography, wildlife, winter | Comments Off on Did someone say “cold”?

The biologist who left me out in the cold

Posted on 12 February 2015 by Stephen

Two weeks, two books. In Unweaving the Rainbow Richard Dawkins takes issue with the poets and argues that the poetry revealed deep within Nature by scientific investigation is more wondrous than the musings of those who make do with superficial … Continue reading →

Posted in book review, Dawkins, le Carré | Comments Off on The biologist who left me out in the cold

I Wish I’d Known Then What I Know Now

Posted on 11 February 2015 by Athene Donald

There are many questions which are easily posed, to which I don’t find answers come easily. One of these is ‘who inspired you?’ (answer: no one very obviously); or ‘why did you decide you wanted to study physics?‘ to which … Continue reading →

Posted in Science Culture, self-confidence, skills | Comments Off on I Wish I’d Known Then What I Know Now

Cheating in science — and life

Posted on 7 February 2015 by Steve Caplan

Not too long ago, one of my teenagers brought up an age-old ethical issue that recurs and festers, and at least theoretically, provides an opportunity for open discussion on “what do we want out of life?” The issue at stake, … Continue reading →

Posted in A grade, cheating, Chronicle of Higher Education, education, exams, getting ahead, medical schoolmath, Research, science, undergraduate education | Comments Off on Cheating in science — and life

This week – reading, thinking and linking

Posted on 7 February 2015 by Stephen

This past week I have been doing so much reading and writing for work that there has been no time to prepare anything substantial enough for a proper blog post, even if I have been stirred by the excessive protests … Continue reading →

Posted in communication, History of Science, Science & Media, Science & Politics | Comments Off on This week – reading, thinking and linking