Monthly Archives: November 2024

When to Say Yes

Posted on 30 November 2024 by Athene Donald

I’ve been writing this blog for more than fourteen years now, incredible though that sounds, at least to me. I rarely look back at what has gone before and if I do, it’s mainly to check I’m not repeating myself. … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Athena Forum, careers, committees, deficit model, Interdisciplinary Science, learning, Londa Schiebinger, macho, Project Implicit, Science Culture, Science Funding, social media, Unconscious bias, Universities | Comments Off on When to Say Yes

On Migration

Posted on 30 November 2024 by Henry Gee

‘Mr Blue Sky‘ is a cheerful pop tune by the Electric Light Orchestra. It is entirely unconnected with Bluesky, the social media phenomenon. It’s been around for quite a while, apparently. The social media phenomenon, I mean, although Out Of … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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What I Read In November

Posted on 29 November 2024 by Henry Gee

Jasper Fforde: The Eyre Affair This knockabout whimsy was given to me by a colleague, Mr C. S. of Borehamwood, for my entertainment when I was off work with depression over a decade ago. I cannot say why I picked … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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Chemistry

Posted on 27 November 2024 by rpg

I got distracted from what I wanted to do by looking for some cufflinks I’ve lost. They’re lovely—in the shape of Spitfires, and a present from Jenny. And I got distracted from that task by discovering some old USB sticks … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in 15MinutePost, chemistry, cufflinks, Don't try this at home, eggnog, Nonsense, saltpetre, wibbling | Comments Off on Chemistry

Invest in Women: Venture Capitalists and Female Entrepreneurs

Posted on 25 November 2024 by Athene Donald

Back in 2019, The Alison Rose Review of Female Entrepreneurship was published, spelling out just how bad the environment was for would-be female entrepreneurs. She was blunt in the opening words of her introduction “I firmly believe that the disparity … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in academia, Alison Rose, appraisal, ASSET 2010, Athena Forum, Austrian science, book review, careers, Equality, Evelyn Fox Keller, femtech, gender, History of Science, innovation, Invest in Women Taskforce, professional training, promotion, Science Funding, Women's Issues | Comments Off on Invest in Women: Venture Capitalists and Female Entrepreneurs

Bluesky again

Posted on 25 November 2024 by Frank Norman

Since my last post in September I’ve grown ever more fond of Bluesky. I look at ex-Twitter less and less. When I do go to Ex-Twitter I still see things of interest, and I retweet a few things, but I’ve … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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Compose yourself

Posted on 23 November 2024 by Stephen

Apologies, this will be obvious to some, but I have seen enough so-so images on social media to convince me there are others who could post much better pictures if they took just a little bit more care. Smartphone cameras … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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Life, Death and Tolkien

Posted on 17 November 2024 by Henry Gee

My recent post on Tolkien got me thinking about some more current issues. There are others who are better guides to Tolkien’s moral philosophy than I. However, the person who finally convinced me, many years ago, that capital punishment was … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in assisted suicide, human rights, J R R Tolkien, Politicrox, Writing & Reading | Comments Off on Life, Death and Tolkien

The Importance of Technicians

Posted on 17 November 2024 by Athene Donald

My last post discussed the ecosystem for those who consider themselves researchers and where it can go wrong if the incentives turn out to be perverse, however logical they seem on the surface. Today I turn to consider the technicians, … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in demographics, laboratory, pastoral care, Science Culture, Talent Commission, Technician Commitment | Comments Off on The Importance of Technicians

Tolkien and Loss

Posted on 16 November 2024 by Henry Gee

I’ve argued elsewhere that one of the most important themes in Tolkien’s work is loss. Loss of technological ability, loss of lifespan, loss of population, loss of — well, let’s not put too fine a point on it — grace, … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in J R R Tolkien, Writing & Reading | Comments Off on Tolkien and Loss