Author Archives: Athene Donald

Climbing the Ladder

It has been a while since I wrote about the challenges facing those setting out on the academic ladder. Those who, having got past their PhD viva are now starting to progress through the ranks of an Early Career Researcher … Continue reading

Posted in Careers, Science Culture | Tagged , , | 16 Comments

On being Feisty and Unconventional

Women in science seem to fare less well than men based on practically any measure. The reasons for this are many and various; they are also much discussed yet progress remains slow. To take as a specific example, why are … Continue reading

Posted in Equality, Uncategorized, Women in Science | Tagged , , , , , | 7 Comments

Women in Science: Why Can’t this Problem be Fixed?

The newspapers these days run almost daily stories about sexism and women being disadvantaged in one way or another (plus the occasional response that it is men that are being hit hardest by current circumstances). For women in STEM the … Continue reading

Posted in Equality, Women in Science | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

Where’s an Industrial Policy When You Want One?

A little while ago I had the pleasure of hosting the visit of Chukka Umunna (Shadow Business Minister)  to the University of Cambridge to discuss the UK’s industrial strategy or, perhaps more accurately, its lack thereof.  Over a sandwich lunch … Continue reading

Posted in Science Culture, Science Funding | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Courage, Inadequacy and Taking the Plunge

It’s almost two years since I wrote about the dangers of looking at people you respect through rose-tinted glasses. That post was prompted by a relatively junior scientist losing their nerve after they had directly challenged something I’d said and … Continue reading

Posted in Science Culture, Women in Science | Tagged , , | 9 Comments