Tag Archives: Royal Society

Why Can’t a Woman be more like a Man?

Posted on February 27, 2015 by Athene Donald

Last autumn there were some shocking figures released by the Royal Society regarding the new cohort of University Research Fellows (URFs): only two out of 43 were women. Many of us were very disappointed and depressed by these figures. I … Continue reading →

Posted in Equality, Women in Science | Tagged , , | 24 Comments

Science Policy and Impact: Lessons from History

Posted on January 16, 2015 by Athene Donald

REF, the Science and Innovation Strategy document (S+I) and the Nurse Review of the Research Councils  collectively mean that the UK HE world of science is stuffed full of current policy issues that matter to us all – never mind … Continue reading →

Posted in History of Science, Science Funding, Science Policy | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Science Policy and Impact: Lessons from History

Shuffling Forward in Education

Posted on July 16, 2014 by Athene Donald

This week has been full of surprises in Whitehall. The departure of David Willetts was foreseen. Indeed, it has been predicted just about every time there has been a ministerial reshuffle in the recent past. He will be missed by … Continue reading →

Posted in Education | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Shuffling Forward in Education

Well-rounded Students – What does it Take?

Posted on June 26, 2014 by Athene Donald

WS Gilbert thought it was ‘comical…that every boy and every gal… is either a little Liberal or else a little Conservative’ in the words expressed by that bored sentry PC Willis. The politics would be different now, but we in … Continue reading →

Posted in Education | Tagged , , , , , | 7 Comments

An Education in Education (and Policy)

Posted on June 15, 2014 by Athene Donald

For the last three and a half years I have been chairing the Royal Society’s Education Committee. Under Secretary of State Michael Gove, education in England has been going through a tumultuous time (other parts of the UK have been … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, Science Policy | Tagged , , | 2 Comments