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Author Archives: Athene Donald
Tackling the NEET Crisis
We hear a lot about NEET’s (those not in Education, Employment or Training); they are a major source of concern and form the focus of the recent Milburn Review. His recent, if interim report, has dug down into the characteristics … Continue reading Continue reading
Posted in Andy Burnham, careers, education, Milburn Review, practical work, T Levels
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A Man of the People?
In the run-up to the recent Makerfield by-election, I saw comments to the effect that Andy Burnham couldn’t be the ‘man of the people’ he claimed to be, because he had been educated at Fitzwilliam College in Cambridge. A remark … Continue reading Continue reading
Posted in Andy Burnham, careers, education, Fiona Hill, Manchester, Oxbridge, stereotyping
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Victims and Perpetrators
Some readers may have noticed in the media, recent (separate) reports that two Fellows of Kings College, Cambridge, have resigned/been stripped of their fellowship due to allegations of harassment and misconduct. I haven’t seen any particular details about the accusations, … Continue reading Continue reading
Work Experience
Alan Milburn’s interim diagnostic report, Young People and Work, looking into the causes of the substantial increase in NEETs (18-24 year olds Not in Education, Employment or Training), makes sober reading. The causes are many, across multiple Government departments and … Continue reading Continue reading
Posted in careers, domesticity, education, Flatford Mill, Milburn Review, NEETs, snowflake
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Science, Society and Responsibility
The Royal Society’s recent report Science for Society spells out the importance of Public Engagement around science for wider society. It is the successor to the so-called Bodmer Report of 1985, which had a profound impact across the sector, indeed … Continue reading Continue reading
Posted in Communicating Science, Public Engagement, Science Culture, Soapbox Science, Walter Bodmer
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Jealousy, Bullying, Harassment and Other Bad Behaviour
Recently I sat down to dinner with two old friends, one male,one female. Our conversation turned to harassment and what emerged was pretty grim. The man referred to an incident when an older and powerful woman had groped him during … Continue reading Continue reading
Posted in competition, insecurity, power imbalance, Science Culture
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The Desolation of Success
Does this phrase strike a chord with you? Apparently, it first appeared in Peter Matthiessen’s book, The Snow Leopard, but I came across it quoted in Lindy Elkins-Tanton’s moving memoir Portrait of the Scientist as a Young Woman. As she … Continue reading Continue reading
Posted in careers, failure, Lindy Elkinst-Tanton, nature, Science Culture
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Women in Tech: A Call for Action
283 years! That was the figure the DSIT Secretary of State stated would be the length of time it would take, at current rates of progress, for women to make up 50% of the Tech workforce at a reception at … Continue reading Continue reading
Posted in Anne-Marie Imafidon, computing, femtech, Liz Kendall, Women in science
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Persistence, Obstinacy and Red Lines
Persistence: such a positive word, nicely aligned with others such as resilience and self-confidence. All positives. But what do you think when you hear the word obstinacy? It conveys an edgy, tiresome quality. Perhaps someone who stops others doing what … Continue reading Continue reading
Posted in leadership, persuasion, Science Culture
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Taking the Chair (for the first time)
Sometimes things bring you up short in ways you weren’t expecting, and that happened this past week as I was trying to prepare for a talk. I’ve been asked to discuss my ‘leadership journey’ with a group of mid-career academics … Continue reading Continue reading
Posted in careers, committees, inclusive, mid-career, Science Culture, time-keeping
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