Category Archives: Science Culture

University Committees’ Dramatis Personae

Posted on May 10, 2011 by Athene Donald

A little while ago I wrote about those committee members who are ubiquitous but who never would be missed. The cast of characters I described before were those prevalent on grant-giving committees, for instance, and so tended to be a … Continue reading →

Posted in Science Culture, Science Funding | Tagged , , , | 7 Comments

The Power of Images

Posted on May 6, 2011 by Athene Donald

The low numbers of female role models to inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers is often cited as a major problem in encouraging girls into science and then keeping them there. Comments on this blog have also remarked … Continue reading →

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

Sagacity or Self-Centredness?

Posted on April 27, 2011 by Athene Donald

What should one talk about when asked to talk about one’s life, career path and general advice to a group of young persons? I use that awkward term advisedly to cover the range of categories that encompass schoolchildren, students, postgrads … Continue reading →

Posted in Careers, Science Culture | Tagged , , , | 15 Comments

Skeletons and Unconscious Bias

Posted on April 24, 2011 by Athene Donald

As scientists we like to believe that we seek and interpret evidence impartially. That has been the accepted position for generations. The reality is of course that we are sometimes influenced, unconsciously or otherwise, by received opinion, ‘experts’ or other … Continue reading →

Posted in History of Science, Science Culture, Women in Science | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

Evolution

Posted on April 19, 2011 by Athene Donald

No, not in the Darwinian sense but more in a socio-cultural one. This week I am at an annual conference that I have been attending on and off (but more on) for nearly 30 years, which is a rather sobering … Continue reading →

Posted in Interdisciplinary Science, Research, Science Culture | Tagged , , | 3 Comments