Category Archives: Research

Publish and Be Damned

Posted on January 27, 2011 by Athene Donald

In this age of h indices and impact factors, the choice of where to publish seems to get ever more important and complex.  It used to be, as a physicist, the place to publish was PRL – or at least … Continue reading →

Posted in Biological Physics, Communicating Science, Interdisciplinary Science, Research | Tagged , , , , , | 18 Comments

Do Scientists Believe in Luck?

Posted on January 13, 2011 by Athene Donald

I wrote previously about the results of the national ASSET survey into attitudes of men and women working in SET departments. Recently I have been looking at the results specifically for my own university. It is harder to make sense … Continue reading →

Posted in Research, Science Culture | Tagged , , , | 19 Comments

Inspirational Gentlemen

Posted on December 3, 2010 by Athene Donald

This week I have taken on a new role as Chair of the Royal Society’s Education Committee. School education (like so much in the UK)  is an area of much flux and I can imagine an increasing role for this … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, Research, Science Culture | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Inspirational Gentlemen

Physicists, Algae and Sustainability

Posted on November 28, 2010 by Athene Donald

A couple of weeks ago my university was able to announce a large new initiative, £20M to set up The Winton Programme for the Physics of Sustainability, funded by David Harding, the founder, chairman and head of research of Winton … Continue reading →

Posted in Biological Physics, Interdisciplinary Science, Research, Science Funding | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

What Women Think – First thoughts on the Athena Survey of Science, Engineering and Technology 2010

Posted on November 9, 2010 by Athene Donald

I have been glancing through the results from this year’s ASSET survey.  This is a web-based survey of academics at postdoctoral level and above, both men and women, asking them about their experiences and career progression. The results  make fascinating … Continue reading →

Posted in Equality, Research, Science Culture, Women in Science, Women's Issues | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments