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November 2026 S M T W T F S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
Author Archives: Athene Donald
Equity for Women Around the World
It is always good to be stretched beyond one’s own comfort zone, even if by definition it is an uncomfortable thing to do. Recently, I found myself stepping up to the podium to talk following four successive philosophers, whose take … Continue reading Continue reading
Posted in education, Equality, UNICEF, Wendy Hall, Women in science, Women in tech
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Unintended Consequences
We appear to be living in a world currently beset by unintended consequences, or at least a world in which the main proponent does not seem to have thought about the consequences the rest of us now have to live … Continue reading Continue reading
Posted in empathy, Ijeoma Uchegbu, Rita Colwell, Science Culture
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There’s Always Another Forgotten Woman
It’s International Women’s Day and across the internet many stories will be spreading of amazing women – in science and in many other arenas – who either don’t, or haven’t, got the attention they deserve. The Royal Society is continuing … Continue reading Continue reading
Posted in Girton College, Ida Freund, Newnham College, periodic table, Women in science
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Looking Back, Moving Forward
This post is crossposted from the Royal Society’s own blog, appearing on March 2nd 2026. From March 2025 to March 2026, The Royal Society has been commemorating the 80th anniversary of the election of the first women Fellows and honouring … Continue reading Continue reading
Posted in Hertha Ayrton, Kathleen Lonsdale. Margery Stephenson, portraits, Royal Society, Women in science
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The Doing of Science
In my retirement I have more time to read than ever used to be the case, and I enjoy reading books about science, scientists and the way they have, both in the past and currently, approached their science and their … Continue reading Continue reading
Posted in Books, Communicating Science, Donna Strickland, Research, Science Culture, The Visible College, thrills, Venki
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Conflicts of Interest
Many years ago, before I was even a professor and still a newbie when it came to sitting on decision-making committees, I had a very disturbing experience at one particular grant-giving meeting. The details of what, who and where aren’t … Continue reading Continue reading
Posted in bias, fellowships, grant panels, Research, Science Culture
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KPIs – a Mixed Blessing
I have sat on enough committees when KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) are discussed, to know that they can be very helpful in moving an agenda forward and identifying where sticking points may be blocking progress. However, they should never be … Continue reading Continue reading
Posted in E-Bacc. curriculum, education, Equality, metrics, spin-outs
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She’s a Feisty Little Thing!
Many women I know get their dress commented on, or their general appearance, rather than the excellence – or otherwise – of their science. I’ve yet to hear someone comment on a man’s choice, or absence, of tie, or the … Continue reading Continue reading
Posted in Curt Rice, Eileen Pollack, Equality, Francesca Peacock, Margaret Cavendish, Women in science
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Has ‘The Rising Tide’ of Women Risen?
Last December a new Government taskforce was launched to address issues about Women in Tech. Led by the Secretary of State at DSIT, Liz Kendall, with Anne-Marie Imafidon alongside, the aim is to ensure women will be better supported to … Continue reading Continue reading
Posted in bias, education, Nancy Lane Perham, Women in science, Women in tech
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Have We Had Enough of Experts?
Recently, my Cambridge colleagues Diane Coyle and Michael Kenny from the Bennett School of Public Policy took to the pages of Nature to write a cautionary Comment about the role of science and scientists in public policy. They are critical … Continue reading Continue reading
Posted in Bennett Institute for Public Policy, Communicating Science, Diane Coyle, education, Michael Kenny, Policy, Science Culture, Tim Minshall
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