Author Archives: Athene Donald

Friends with Benefits

Posted on 12 May 2019 by Athene Donald

A recent study shows – in Switzerland at least – that nominated referees judge grants more favourably than those unconnected with the applicant. I’m afraid I didn’t find the conclusion of the study a surprise. Additionally I suspect that having … Continue reading →

Posted in ERC, grants, Matthew effect, panels, referees, Science Culture, Science Funding | Comments Off on Friends with Benefits

Telling A Life Story

Posted on 5 May 2019 by Athene Donald

It has been a while since I last posted on my blog. In part that was down to the Easter holidays, but more than that I think it was a combination of the exhaustion of the previous term, coupled with … Continue reading →

Posted in CV, family, resilience, Science Culture | Comments Off on Telling A Life Story

Getting Away from the Toxic Lab

Posted on 14 April 2019 by Athene Donald

The journal PLoS Computational Biology recently published an article Ten simple rules towards healthier research labs. Written by a PI it was obviously aimed largely at those who might be just setting out with their own groups, but clearly any … Continue reading →

Posted in CV, group leader, mentors, Research, Science Culture, support | Comments Off on Getting Away from the Toxic Lab

Does Leadership Need to be More Touchy-Feely?

Posted on 7 April 2019 by Athene Donald

If our sector is to see more minorities rise through the ranks to positions of power, indeed if any sector is to achieve this and go on, for instance, to remove the typical gender pay gap, then inclusive leadership needs … Continue reading →

Posted in Equality, group leader, humble, inclusivity, minorities, PhD students, Science Culture | Comments Off on Does Leadership Need to be More Touchy-Feely?

Tears Before Bedtime

Posted on 31 March 2019 by Athene Donald

Tears Before Bedtime It is a well-worn trope that women weep and men shout. Stereotypical but, although I have occasionally seen women shout I have yet to see a man break down in public when losing an argument (as opposed … Continue reading →

Posted in bullying, emotion, Science Culture, shouting | Comments Off on Tears Before Bedtime

Leadership for Our Times

Posted on 27 March 2019 by Athene Donald

Much has been made recently of Theresa May’s leadership, or rather the lack of it. It reminds me how when I first took up the reins at Churchill College, several people told me the story of an earlier Master, William … Continue reading →

Posted in Brexit, John Bercow, Microcosmographia Academica, Prime Minister, Science Culture | Comments Off on Leadership for Our Times

Lady in Red

Posted on 24 March 2019 by Athene Donald

There has been some interesting dialogue over Twitter recently regarding what sort of images may – or may not – inspire future generations of young women to think about the STEM subjects and, in the exchanges I’ve seen recently, specifically … Continue reading →

Posted in Churchill Academy, clothing, education, inspiration, pockets, Women in science | Comments Off on Lady in Red

To Honour Those Forced Out #IWD19

Posted on 8 March 2019 by Athene Donald

For International Women’s Day I want to take as my theme, the lines from Ecclesiasticus And some there be who have no memorial, who are perished as though they had never been… This is not because I’ve suddenly acquired a … Continue reading →

Posted in Camden School for Girls, Ecclesiasticus, Science Culture, Women in science | Comments Off on To Honour Those Forced Out #IWD19

As the Years Pass, What’s Changed?

Posted on 3 March 2019 by Athene Donald

Another year and International Women’s Day (IWD is on March 8th) is fast approaching. In a rather wonderful coincidence this year the date marks exactly 50 years since the Fellowship of Churchill College voted to admit women, the very first … Continue reading →

Posted in Alison Finch, Churchill College, International Women's Day, Women in science | Comments Off on As the Years Pass, What’s Changed?

The Interdisciplinary Challenge

Posted on 24 February 2019 by Athene Donald

This week I am talking at an event in London marking (I believe) the launch of Nature Reviews Physics, but the emphasis of this event will be on the promotion of best working practices in ‘physics and interdisciplinary science’, as … Continue reading →

Posted in crossing boundaries, Interdisciplinary Science, nature, Research, starch | Comments Off on The Interdisciplinary Challenge