Category Archives: Science Culture

Of a Retiring Nature

Posted on September 27, 2020 by Athene Donald

The end of this month marks my retirement from my professorial position at Cambridge, something that I still find rather surprising. My career on that front has just faded out, yet another victim of the pandemic; the conference planned for … Continue reading →

Posted in Science Culture, Women in Science | Tagged , , | 14 Comments

Research Culture, Fairness and Transparency

Posted on September 20, 2020 by Athene Donald

A week after the Science and University Ministers announced with respect to chartermarks such as Athena Swan “We have therefore asked the OfS, UKRI and NIHR to ensure that they place no weight upon the presence or absence of such … Continue reading →

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

Feeling the Fear

Posted on September 6, 2020 by Athene Donald

Readers of the Guardian may, over the years, have had reason to dip into Oliver Burkeman’s columns. As he hangs up his metaphorical boots, he summarised what he had personally learned from the exercise of writing these ‘self-help’ articles. In … Continue reading →

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

Is Bigger Always Better?

Posted on June 28, 2020 by Athene Donald

Social distancing may have been reduced to 1(+)m – whatever that may mean – but that is still going to impose significant constraints on what a bench scientist can do. Fume cupboards in a line – how many of them … Continue reading →

Posted in Careers, Science Culture | Tagged , , , | 5 Comments

Where’s Your Place in the World?

Posted on May 30, 2020 by Athene Donald

I don’t suppose there are many people in the country who currently feel grounded, confident they know how their lives will unfold and happy with that trajectory. At the moment, uncertainty seems the name of the game, responsibilities multiply and … Continue reading →

Posted in Science Culture | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Where’s Your Place in the World?