Category Archives: Equality

Why Lazy Stereotyping is Damaging

Posted on March 23, 2017 by Athene Donald

I was very pleased to hear a male academic referred to as ‘not a shrinking violet’ the other day. Not because I was feeling particularly vindictive towards the person concerned, but because I have always thought that this unpleasant phrase … Continue reading →

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

No More ‘Male by Default’ Please

Posted on March 8, 2017 by Athene Donald

Another year, another International Women’s Day. This year the strapline is ‘be bold for change’. A good motto but many will feel that boldness is dangerous in the face of opposition or incomprehension. Incomprehension is perhaps commoner than one thinks: … Continue reading →

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Building a Humane Workplace

Posted on February 17, 2017 by Athene Donald

This is the unabridged/unedited version of an article that first appeared a couple of weeks ago in Optics and Photonics. Increasingly industry has woken up to the fact that diverse teams make better decisions and, by implication, make more money. … Continue reading →

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Conspiracy or Cock-up?

Posted on February 3, 2017 by Athene Donald

Inclusivity seems something of a current buzzword. When Theresa May came to office she stated clearly in her first speech that ‘we won’t entrench the advantages of the fortunate few’. One of her immediate actions was to call for an … Continue reading →

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

Cultural Values in a Time Warp

Posted on January 29, 2017 by Athene Donald

At the start of the year I wrote about my frustrations with the slow pace of change, specifically with regard to the situation for women in science in academia but also more broadly. This week I am forcibly reminded again … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, Equality | Tagged , , , | 5 Comments