Monthly Archives: April 2020

Yet Another Source of Inequality?

Posted on 27 April 2020 by Athene Donald

It is far too early to know what the long-term social, economic and educational impacts of the current pandemic are. However, some predictions are easier to make than others. One unfortunate but obvious side-effect is the perpetuation and accentuation of … Continue reading →

Posted in careers, COVID-19, CV, ECRs, Equality, Women in science | Comments Off on Yet Another Source of Inequality?

The still unsustainable goal of university ranking

Posted on 26 April 2020 by Stephen

The new and improved Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings 2020 were published this week with as much online fanfare as THE could muster. Unfortunately, they are not improved enough. Sydney University’s Duncan Ivison makes case for impact rankings. And … Continue reading →

Posted in Research Assessment, Scientific Life | Comments Off on The still unsustainable goal of university ranking

Online Courses versus Online Teaching

Posted on 26 April 2020 by Nicola Spaldin

When the ETH moved all of its classes online six weeks ago I channelled my corona anxieties into scouring the literature for best practices in online teaching pedagogy, and I discovered a wealth of scholarly studies and practical information on … Continue reading →

Posted in education, Materials Science | Comments Off on Online Courses versus Online Teaching

What Should You Be Doing Now?

Posted on 22 April 2020 by Athene Donald

One of the questions you ought not to pose to someone – be it a mentor, supervisor or sponsor – is ‘what should I do?’ Because, the answer has to be: ‘that’s up to you’. There is no uniquely right … Continue reading →

Posted in advice, careers, Jane Clarke, mentors, multi-tasking | Comments Off on What Should You Be Doing Now?

Clampdown

Posted on 15 April 2020 by rpg

“ Hey Mike. Mike? Mike. Mike, can you hear me? Cannn youu hearrrr meee.

Posted in covid19, Nonsense, Office life, personal | Comments Off on Clampdown

We’re All in This Together

Posted on 15 April 2020 by Athene Donald

If life were other, if we weren’t all ‘wfh’ and trying to stay sane as well as productive, today I would be putting the finishing touches to a talk I was due to give at the end of the week … Continue reading →

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In which we lock down

Posted on 13 April 2020 by Jennifer Rohn

Pandemic existence: reaping what we’ve sownThere is nothing I can write about life on lockdown that has not already been written. Doing so risks the scorn of the likes of Times journalist Matthew Parris, who on Saturday opined: I’m encountering … Continue reading →

Posted in Domestic bliss, Gardening, staring into the abyss, The profession of science, work-life balance | Comments Off on In which we lock down

Is Losing a President Careless?

Posted on 8 April 2020 by Athene Donald

So what really is going on in Brussels regarding the ERC? I have had no direct contact with them in recent months, nor ever met Professor Ferrari, the short-lived and outgoing (outgone?) President. I cannot spill any beans because I … Continue reading →

Posted in ERC, Mauro Ferrari, Research, Science Funding, Scientific Council | Comments Off on Is Losing a President Careless?

Three weeks

Posted on 5 April 2020 by Stephen

Just three weeks ago, on eve of the weekend, my wife and I met an old friend for dinner at a restaurant in Southwark. Even then, the most normal things in the world were beginning to feel risky. Our friend … Continue reading →

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The Story of a Piano

Posted on 3 April 2020 by Athene Donald

As working practices are turned upside down, as our whole pattern of live is disrupted in ways that are unlikely to feel pleasant, I am sure turning to music will be the solace of many. I hear – as confirmation … Continue reading →

Posted in 1st world war, Coronavirus, education, family, Music | Comments Off on The Story of a Piano