Monthly Archives: March 2025

My lovely sister, 1946-2025

Posted on 27 March 2025 by Frank Norman

This week my much-loved eldest sister, M, died. I want to share with you some memories of her through my life. In a few weeks it will be 30 years since my mother died from cancer. It was a difficult … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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Is Ballroom Dancing like Academia?

Posted on 24 March 2025 by Athene Donald

One of my secret loves is watching each series of Strictly Come Dancing. It is a feel-good vibe we all need in these dark geopolitical days, however much I don’t care how many sequins are sewed on by hand.  So, … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in demeaning, entitlement, equity, Science Culture, Shirley Ballas, Women in science | Comments Off on Is Ballroom Dancing like Academia?

Another Year, Another IWD: What’s Changed?

Posted on 8 March 2025 by Athene Donald

Every year International Women’s Day sparks a momentary bout of reflection about the state of women in our society. The  House of Lords has an annual debate, for instance, this year about women in STEM.  Social media will showcase many … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Barbara Castle, EPSRC, Equal Pay Act, Equality, gender pay gap, Women in science | Comments Off on Another Year, Another IWD: What’s Changed?

The Importance of Manufacturing

Posted on 2 March 2025 by Athene Donald

How many factories have you visited in your life? Do you have any sense of what goes on there? When I was a postdoc in the Cambridge Materials Science Department, helping out with undergraduate projects, I was offered a chance … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in factories, food waste, Research, supply chains, Tim Minshall | Comments Off on The Importance of Manufacturing

What I Read In February

Posted on 2 March 2025 by Henry Gee

Max Telford: The Tree Of Life Many years ago when the world was young I tried to explain, in popular science form, how scientists organise the natural world, all the better to understand the pattern of creation. The result was … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Writing & Reading | Comments Off on What I Read In February