Monthly Archives: November 2016

In which I’m published – in ‘Science Fiction by Scientists’

Posted on 22 November 2016 by Jennifer Rohn

As the Queen of Lab Lit, a literary subgenre whose defining characteristic includes not being science fiction, people are often surprised to discover that I do actually like SF. But it’s true. I read little else when I was younger, … Continue reading →

Posted in Lablit, Writing | Comments Off on In which I’m published – in ‘Science Fiction by Scientists’

To Chair or not to Chair

Posted on 19 November 2016 by Athene Donald

I have been kicking around the university scene so long that I forget how mysterious some parts of my life may seem to those just starting out. I was rather startled to be asked by a student over dinner the … Continue reading →

Posted in committee meetings, Francis Cornford, Science Culture | Comments Off on To Chair or not to Chair

ICYMI No.8: Being Professorial

Posted on 14 November 2016 by Stephen

I was among several people who contributed to a feature in this weeks’ Times Higher Education on being a professor. The brief I was given was (briefly): “Questions you might want to address are whether you should somehow have to … Continue reading →

Posted in ICYMI | Comments Off on ICYMI No.8: Being Professorial

When the Going gets Tough, be Kind

Posted on 11 November 2016 by Athene Donald

In academia there is tremendous pressure to be permanently at the top of one’s game. One is expected to be able to perform across many fronts: lecturing, grant-writing, pastoral care, admissions, outreach, committees….Not only to perform, to excel in all … Continue reading →

Posted in compassion, education, Equality, hate, misogyny | Comments Off on When the Going gets Tough, be Kind

President Trump – first response

Posted on 9 November 2016 by Stephen

This morning I was asked for a comment on the implications of the US presidential election for the scientific world. This was my immediate response: Unlike the day after the EU referendum vote, when I was bitterly upset, I just … Continue reading →

Posted in Science & Politics | Comments Off on President Trump – first response

Final Comments before (Armageddon?) Nov. 8, 2016

Posted on 6 November 2016 by Steve Caplan

My early vote cast weeks ago; couldn’t rest until the ballot was submitted… On Tuesday Nov. 8, the United States will have one of its most crucial elections in the history of the nation. Yes, I realize that many will … Continue reading →

Posted in 538, Clinton, Democrat, election, mendacious, misogyny, nate silver, NYT, Obama, Politics, prediction, president, princeton election consortium, pundits, racism, Republican, sam wang, science, statistician, statistics, Trump, Upshot, US | Comments Off on Final Comments before (Armageddon?) Nov. 8, 2016

Some Animals are More Equal than Others

Posted on 5 November 2016 by Athene Donald

This week I attended the Royal Society’s Diversity Day. As everyone remarked, the audience was indeed remarkably diverse. Signing of the talks for the hard-of-hearing was available and the standard white male was in (relatively) short supply both on the … Continue reading →

Posted in committees, Equality, George Orwell, Unconscious bias, Women in science | Comments Off on Some Animals are More Equal than Others