Monthly Archives: September 2018

Sometimes science needs to take a backseat

Posted on 29 September 2018 by Steve Caplan

Science is based on fundamental, objective truth. So sometimes, in support of science, it is necessary to step back and take a moral stand. Here is my letter to Nebraskan Senator Ben Sasse (republican, Judiciary Committee). Since I have no … Continue reading →

Posted in harassment, Politics, sexual assault, truth, women's rights | Comments Off on Sometimes science needs to take a backseat

What Does Creativity Mean to You?

Posted on 28 September 2018 by Athene Donald

When I was at school, careers’ advice – at least at my girls’ grammar school – was essentially non-existent. Perhaps boys’ schools did better; after all, for my generation of women, ‘careers’ weren’t a matter for serious concern. I certainly … Continue reading →

Posted in Career advice, education, Lord Aberdare, Science Culture, William Blake | Comments Off on What Does Creativity Mean to You?

Library day in the life 2018

Posted on 25 September 2018 by Frank Norman

This post is an account of what I did at work each day from Monday 17 September 2018 through to Friday 21 September 2018. The idea is to give an impression of the range of tasks I engage in. I’ve … Continue reading →

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When truth meets “feelings”

Posted on 23 September 2018 by Steve Caplan

And behind the curtain is…?!!! As human beings, we are taught (perhaps except in the era of Trump) about the importance of respecting others, and being sensitive to their views and feelings. Overall, this is a GOOD thing, and while … Continue reading →

Posted in Darwin, education, evolution, religion, Research, science, sensitivities, truth | Comments Off on When truth meets “feelings”

The Buzz of the New

Posted on 22 September 2018 by Athene Donald

The start of the academic year brings its own opportunity for new year’s resolutions. All the usual: drink less coffee, snack less between meals, waste less time reading peripherally-relevant websites and answer all emails within 24 hours. Just like calendar … Continue reading →

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In which I question an assumption: do fiction readers really dislike scientific detail?

Posted on 20 September 2018 by Jennifer Rohn

My regular readers will know all about Fiction Lab, the world’s first book group devoted to discussing lab lit fiction. We’ve been meeting once a month for just over a decade at London’s Royal Institution to talk about novels with … Continue reading →

Posted in Lablit, Scientific thinking, Writing | Comments Off on In which I question an assumption: do fiction readers really dislike scientific detail?

On Serena (not the Tennis player) and the Smokies. Read the book, avoid the film.

Posted on 19 September 2018 by Sylvia McLain

“Read this book, you’ll love it. It’s set in Appalachia.” This was what my reading guru said as she handed it to me over the summer.

Posted in Hollywood women, Pacific Standard Productions, Reese Witherspoon, Ron Rash, Serena, Serena the book, women in films | Comments Off on On Serena (not the Tennis player) and the Smokies. Read the book, avoid the film.

Open access deposits to Europe PubMed Central – building skills

Posted on 19 September 2018 by Frank Norman

Blogpost by Kate Beeby and Frank Norman. Our funders’ open access policies mandate deposit of all primary research articles into Europe PubMed Central (ePMC). We opt for the Gold (immediate Open Access) route when we can, but if the publisher … Continue reading →

Posted in epmc, Libraries and librarians, Open Access, skills | Comments Off on Open access deposits to Europe PubMed Central – building skills

In which I drift

Posted on 18 September 2018 by Jennifer Rohn

Today as I walked to the lab from Belsize Park underground station, fallen cobnuts crunched under my shoes, and an obstacle course of shiny brown conkers scattered free from their deflated prickly cases. In the spent edges of Storm Helene, … Continue reading →

Posted in academia, The profession of science, work-life balance | Comments Off on In which I drift

Hard Work

Posted on 18 September 2018 by Nicola Spaldin

The fun philosophical part of the curriculum revision is over and we are now slogging through the day-to-day drudgery of where / when / what the content and learning elements should go / happen / be. And this is hard … Continue reading →

Posted in education, Materials Science | Comments Off on Hard Work