Author Archives: Athene Donald

The Only Woman in the Room

The Only Woman in the Room, is not only an experience I have frequently endured, but is also the title of a 2015 book by Eileen Pollack (subtitled Why Science is Still a Boy’s Club). I’m not sure why this … Continue reading

Posted in coeducation, Eileen Pollack, physics, Women in science, Yale | Comments Off on The Only Woman in the Room

What do We Lose if We Lose Access to the ERC?

This week I was in Brussels in my capacity as a Scientific Council Member of the European Research Council. One of the roles we are all expected to fulfil from time to time is as observer of the various panels … Continue reading

Posted in Brexit, Brussels, Research Councils, Science Funding, Unconscious bias | Comments Off on What do We Lose if We Lose Access to the ERC?

One Hundred Years

Today we celebrate the Suffragettes’ victory 100 years ago: votes for (some) women. A timely moment to reflect on the state of play in terms of equality. More than seven years ago I wrote the post below about the Equal … Continue reading

Posted in Dagenham, equal pay, Equality, Mary Beard, Suffragettes | Comments Off on One Hundred Years

When Should You Say Yes?

I am prompted to ask this question by a whole slew of different events and stories this past week. The question is in part a general one about what is good for careers, and in part it reflects gender issues … Continue reading

Posted in committee work, Impostor syndrome, manel, Science Culture, Women in science | Comments Off on When Should You Say Yes?

Now I understand Proust better (but feel less positive about Athena Swan)

You know the story about Marcel Proust and the madeleine – how the memories came flooding back when he nibbled at one with a cup of tea. I always thought this was slightly ridiculous, but perhaps ageing means I now … Continue reading

Posted in Athena Swan, Dillon's, UCL, Women in science | Comments Off on Now I understand Proust better (but feel less positive about Athena Swan)

Changing the Patriarchy (Perhaps)

I’m afraid this is going to be a derivative blog. Derivative because I’m prompted to write it due to two recent articles I’ve read, but I’d like to turn their ideas into the world of academia. The first was in … Continue reading

Posted in Equality, Hadley Freeman, Kate Manne, misogyny, sexism | Comments Off on Changing the Patriarchy (Perhaps)

‘I do like kissing games’

After Harvey Weinstein there have been suggestions that we’ve reached a ‘tipping point’, that the genie can’t be put back into the bottle and that our society will clean itself up with respect to sexual harassment. I wish. In the … Continue reading

Posted in Equality, harassment, Harvey Weinstein, misogyny, name-calling, Women in science | Comments Off on ‘I do like kissing games’

How the Financial Sector Hinders Manufacturing

As 2018 approaches, the UK’s economic future seems as uncertain as ever. I think we can conclude with conviction that our country is anything but ‘strong and stable’ and the mantra that Brexit means Brexit has been shown up for … Continue reading

Posted in fund managers, ICI, Science Culture, Tom Brown | Comments Off on How the Financial Sector Hinders Manufacturing

Is the THE aiming for clickbait?

Just before Christmas on Twitter I came across a survey being run by the THE asking THE is running a survey about whether women should champion other women in academic careers. What do you think? I duly went to this … Continue reading

Posted in academic sisterhood, early career researchers, Equality, mentors, Women in science | Comments Off on Is the THE aiming for clickbait?

Taking the Chair

Robert Mackintosh recently wrote an article in the THE about how to chair a meeting. This is a topic that I have dealt with before on my blog in light-hearted vein – describing those chairs you really hope you never … Continue reading

Posted in committee meetings, early career researcher, Science Culture, skills | Comments Off on Taking the Chair