Author Archives: Athene Donald

‘Pure’ versus ‘Applied’ Science

Posted on September 12, 2021 by Athene Donald

When I started this blog, more than ten years ago, I imagined I would write about physics, and specifically about physics at the interface with biology. Perhaps, I thought, I would write about exciting papers I’d read; indeed, I asked … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, Interdisciplinary Science, Research | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Name-calling, Favourites and Bystanders

Posted on September 5, 2021 by Athene Donald

Name-calling of any kind is painful. My first experience of it that I recall, dates back to primary school when the other kids used to call me teacher’s pet. Probably deserved as an appellation, in so far as I undoubtedly … Continue reading →

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Getting Universities’ People and Culture Right

Posted on August 27, 2021 by Athene Donald

Regular readers of my blog will have noticed there has been nothing to read for some time, regularly or irregularly. As for so many of us, this has been a tough year culminating, for me, in a chest infection (non-Covid) … Continue reading →

Posted in Equality, Science Culture | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Picture a Scientist – Who Do You See?

Posted on June 26, 2021 by Athene Donald

I am often asked who inspired me. I feel embarrassed to admit the answer is no one, it seems like the wrong answer. Certainly there was no female scientist who triggered my love of science at an early age; I … Continue reading →

Posted in Equality, Women in Science | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

The Imperative of Skills

Posted on June 15, 2021 by Athene Donald

Whereas academic scientists too often only think in terms of producing the next generation of academic scientists like them, the reality is many would-be PIs would be lost without the technicians who keep the equipment running, train newcomers and generally … Continue reading →

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