Monthly Archives: February 2026

What I Read In January and February

If my three regular readers noticed the absence of my usual monthly book blog, they did not see fit to remind me. If any apology is necessary, I have been very busy elsewhere, promoting The Wonder of Life on Earth; … Continue reading Continue reading

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The Doing of Science

In my retirement I have more time to read than ever used to be the case, and I enjoy reading books about science, scientists and the way they have, both in the past and currently, approached their science and their … Continue reading Continue reading

Posted in Books, Communicating Science, Donna Strickland, Research, Science Culture, The Visible College, thrills, Venki | Comments Off on The Doing of Science

In which we watch and wait

Precarity is the one constant of academic science. Themes of instability thread themselves through everything we do: experiments that inexplicably cannot be repeated. Once-sound theories that fall into pieces as a result. Job contracts that end after only a few … Continue reading Continue reading

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Conflicts of Interest

Many years ago, before I was even a professor and still a newbie when it came to sitting on decision-making committees, I had a very disturbing experience at one particular grant-giving meeting. The details of what, who and where aren’t … Continue reading Continue reading

Posted in bias, fellowships, grant panels, Research, Science Culture | Comments Off on Conflicts of Interest

A year of inaction: why has the Royal Society allowed itself to be hollowed out by Elon Musk?

Professor Sir Paul Nurse, President of the Royal Society, would have you believe that concerns raised within and without the Society about the behaviour of their honoured fellow, Elon Musk FRS, are because some people think he’s a “bad person”. … Continue reading Continue reading

Posted in science, Science & Politics, Science Culture | Comments Off on A year of inaction: why has the Royal Society allowed itself to be hollowed out by Elon Musk?

KPIs – a Mixed Blessing

I have sat on enough committees when KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) are discussed, to know that they can be very helpful in moving an agenda forward and identifying where sticking points may be blocking progress. However, they should never be … Continue reading Continue reading

Posted in E-Bacc. curriculum, education, Equality, metrics, spin-outs | Comments Off on KPIs – a Mixed Blessing