Monthly Archives: January 2020

This is not my Brexit day

Posted on 31 January 2020 by Stephen

It is 31st January 2020 and as of 11 pm tonight the UK will no longer be a member of the European Union. We have arrived at Brexit day. But this is not my Brexit. I did not want it.

Posted in Science & Politics | Comments Off on This is not my Brexit day

Does it pass the smell-test? Review of “The DNA of you and me”

Posted on 18 January 2020 by Steve Caplan

Moving into 2020, I realize that this is now my 10th year of blogging, a sport that I never really signed up for. In 2010, my daughter was 13 years old; now she is preparing for a series of interviews … Continue reading →

Posted in Andrea Rothman, author, fiction, lab, Lablit, novel, olfatory, postdoc, Research, reviews, science, sense of smell, smell test, student, The DNA of you and me | Comments Off on Does it pass the smell-test? Review of “The DNA of you and me”

No More Red Meat?

Posted on 17 January 2020 by Athene Donald

The terrifying and deadly fires in Australia are a grim reminder of climate change. Greta Thunberg should be a prick (indeed more than a prick) to everyone’s conscience, reminding us that each and every one of us has a part … Continue reading →

Posted in catering, Churchill College, sustainability, vegan | Comments Off on No More Red Meat?

Thinking about Your Workload

Posted on 10 January 2020 by Athene Donald

The first time I was asked to serve on a research council (standing) committee, when a young(ish) researcher, I did not seek my head of department’s position. I informed him, since it happened we worked closely together, but it did … Continue reading →

Posted in Alice Roberts, Athena Swan, Communicating Science, mental health, Science Culture | Comments Off on Thinking about Your Workload

Shenanigans with the Railways

Posted on 7 January 2020 by Athene Donald

Rules about railway tickets have clearly always been mysterious, as this Punch cartoon of 1869 makes clear.  “‘Station Master say, Mum, as cats is ‘dogs,’ and rabbits is ‘dogs,’ and so’s parrots; but this ere ‘tortis’ is an insect, so … Continue reading →

Posted in Great Northern, refund, trains, travel | Comments Off on Shenanigans with the Railways

2019 Top Ten (plus one, again)

Posted on 4 January 2020 by Richard Wintle

This year’s question: is it pathetic that Adventures in Wonderland has turned into an annual top-ten-photo blog? Perhaps I’ll do better in 2020. Recent history suggests not, however. Anyway, on to my favourite ten (plus one, as usual) photographs of … Continue reading →

Posted in Hobbies, motorsports, Photography, racing | Comments Off on 2019 Top Ten (plus one, again)

How Long does it take to Gain Expertise?

Posted on 3 January 2020 by Athene Donald

Dominic Cummings, Boris Johnson’s right-hand man, currently is said to be set on shaking up the Civil Service. The three elements that are rumoured to be on the agenda are: Better training in data science, systems thinking and ‘super-forecasting; Staff … Continue reading →

Posted in Civil Service, Dominic Cummings, Interdisciplinary Science, Science Funding, UKRI | Comments Off on How Long does it take to Gain Expertise?