Blog: Athene Donald’s Blog
I am Master of Churchill College, Cambridge and a professor emeritus of physics in the Cavendish Laboratory at the University of Cambridge; my research was on soft matter and biological physics. I have a keen interest in education at all levels and wider policy for science, including around funding. I also have an active interest in issues around women in science, both within the university where I was their first Gender Equality Champion (2010–14) and also more generally (e.g. I recently served on the Athena Swan Review group). I hold a variety of positions on a range of committees, but this blog is written in a purely personal capacity.
My first degree and my PhD are both in Physics from Cambridge University. After I spent 4 years at Cornell University in the USA I returned to Cambridge where I have been ever since. I became a professor in 1998 and was elected to the Royal Society in 1999 (I currently serve on their Council, as I did previously in 2004–6 and 2012–15 and I chaired their Education Committee from 2010–14). I was the 2009 Laureate for Europe of the L’Oreal/UNESCO For Women in Science Awards, and won the Faraday Medal of the Institute of Physics in 2010. I was appointed a DBE in the 2010 Birthday Honours.
As a long-time champion of interdisciplinary research, I chaired the Interdisciplinary Advisory Panel for REF2021. I am serving on a variety of Royal Society committees, including leading their Community of Interest in Research and Innovation. I have previously been a Member of the University of Cambridge’s Council (2009–14); Trustee of the Science Museum Group (2011–16); a member of the Scientific Council of the European Research Council (2013–18) and I chaired the Scientific Advisory Council of the Department of Culture, Media and Sports (2015–17).
I am married to Matthew, a mathematician, and have two adult children and two grandchildren.
