Category Archives: Women in Science

Unconscious Bias and the Impact on Women entering Science

Posted on June 3, 2011 by Athene Donald

This is text of the talk I gave at the Howthelightgetsin Festival at Hay at the weekend. The talk was misleadingly entitled ‘Saving Science’ by the organisers, trailed as how women can ‘save’ science, but it is really about how … Continue reading →

Posted in Equality, Women in Science | Tagged , , , | 8 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

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

Surviving the Postdoc Experience – or Not

Posted on April 14, 2011 by Athene Donald

Last night I talked at an RSC/IOP event launching a report (Mapping the Future: Physics and Chemistry Researchers’ Experiences and Career Intentions) based on a survey of 776 postdocs. The report illustrates some interesting differences between the cultures experienced in … Continue reading →

Posted in Research, Science Culture, Women in Science | Tagged , , , , | 9 Comments

I can hear you’re getting emotional

Posted on April 2, 2011 by Athene Donald

In the comments for my last post, J0ns1m0ns remarked that he thought the issue of mode of speaking at committee meetings was perhaps a bit of a red herring, but I fear inappropriate remarks and behaviour persist and shouldn’t, indeed … Continue reading →

Posted in Equality, Science Culture, Women in Science | Tagged , , | 38 Comments