Category Archives: Science Culture

Do Scientists Believe in Luck?

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

Darwin Didn’t Always get it Right

My Christmas reading included two very different books, one by Tim Birkhead and one edited by Bill Bryson, both gloriously illustrated with historical paintings. Reading these in quick succession over a short period of time caused me to reflect on … Continue reading

Posted in History of Science, Science Culture | Tagged , , , , | 7 Comments

New Year’s Day, New Year’s Resolutions

I’m no fan of New Year’s resolutions; they’re bound to fail.  I probably discovered this at the tender age of about 7 when I set myself to lose my lisp. It took a lot longer than I had expected  – … Continue reading

Posted in Science Culture, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 12 Comments

Lies, Damned Lies – and Rank-ordered Lists

The end of the year is traditionally the time for lists remembering the year just gone: lists of those who died (and, for so-called stars, their marriages and divorces too), events that happened, films that bombed or triumphed, public gaffes … Continue reading

Posted in Biological Physics, Interdisciplinary Science, Science Culture, Science Funding | Tagged , , | 8 Comments

The Art of Festive Conversation

A frivolous post appropriate to the time of year. Type ‘conversation’ into Amazon, and you’ll get a whole list of self-help books, such as: The Art of Conversation, Or, What to Say, and When; How to Talk to Anyone: 92 … Continue reading

Posted in Communicating Science, Science Culture | Tagged , , | 31 Comments