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Author Archives: Athene Donald
‘Pure’ versus ‘Applied’ Science
When I started this blog, more than ten years ago, I imagined I would write about physics, and specifically about physics at the interface with biology. Perhaps, I thought, I would write about exciting papers I’d read; indeed, I asked … Continue reading Continue reading
Posted in Biological Physics, education, Interdisciplinary Science, James Clerk Maxwell, Mike Cates, Pietro Cicuta, Research
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Picture a Scientist – Who Do You See?
I am often asked who inspired me. I feel embarrassed to admit the answer is no one, it seems like the wrong answer. Certainly there was no female scientist who triggered my love of science at an early age; I … Continue reading
Posted in discrimination, Equality, harassment, Jane Willenbring, MIT, Nancy Hopkins, Raychelle Burks, Women in science
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The Imperative of Skills
Whereas academic scientists too often only think in terms of producing the next generation of academic scientists like them, the reality is many would-be PIs would be lost without the technicians who keep the equipment running, train newcomers and generally … Continue reading
Posted in BEIS, careers, Chatteris, education, Further Education, technicians, training
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Getting the Design Right
This blogpost is stimulated by two bits of reading matter of very different sorts, but between them they have taken my thoughts in somewhat multifarious directions. Apologies if the net result is a slightly disorganised and diverse post. It started … Continue reading
Posted in architecture, Cavendish, design, Equality, maintenance, Science Funding
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Levelling up for Whom?
A recent HEPI report, written by Sarah Chaytor, Grace Gottlieb and Graeme Reid, all from UCL, considered aspects of levelling up and regional policy. Amongst their conclusions was that, despite what other commentators have said, the UK is not particularly … Continue reading
Posted in Cambridge, East of England, Graene Reid, Science Funding, The Missing Four Billion
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Do you know Excellence when you see it?
Politicians toss around phrases like ‘levelling up’ and ‘build back better’, not to mention ‘freedom of speech’, with gay abandon. Such words sound so positive and authoritative, what could be the problem? As many people have pointed out, however, there … Continue reading
Posted in bias, careers, ERC, grant-giving panels, Matthew effect, REF, Research, Science Funding
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How Best to Tackle Bullying?
How can we make the university sector a more pleasant place to work? Bullying and harassment (whether of a sexual nature or not) are, it would appear, endemic across the higher education sector, for staff and students alike. Every survey … Continue reading
Posted in Bystander, culture change, Science Culture, toxic culture change, wellcome, Women in science
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