Author Archives: Athene Donald

Visiting the Roots of the Industrial Revolution

I managed to sneak in a few days break in Derbyshire between two major College activities. It was good to escape to a less flat landscape than Cambridgeshire can manage and stretch my muscles up the steep hills that the … Continue reading

Posted in History of Science, quarries, Richard Arkwright, Wirksworth | Comments Off on Visiting the Roots of the Industrial Revolution

The Challenge of Taking Time Out

I have been marking exams. However much students may and do hate taking the exams themselves, marking is also a very stressful period for those of us who have to do it. We wish to do it with the utmost … Continue reading

Posted in exams, grieving, Pressure, Science Culture | Comments Off on The Challenge of Taking Time Out

The Patronising Colleague

Patronising and mansplaining are both irredeemably etymologically male. I cannot think of female equivalents. That isn’t to say that women can never be patronising or indulge in mansplaining, but I suspect the frequency with which they go in for such … Continue reading

Posted in frustration, mansplaining, Science Culture, sponsorship, Women in science | Comments Off on The Patronising Colleague

The Patronising Colleague

Patronising and mansplaining are both irredeemably etymologically male. I cannot think of female equivalents. That isn’t to say that women can never be patronising or indulge in mansplaining, but I suspect the frequency with which they go in for such … Continue reading

Posted in frustration, mansplaining, Science Culture, sponsorship, Women in science | Comments Off on The Patronising Colleague

Get a Life

I should have known better. At the Hay Festival last week, as my last post alluded to, I mentioned the gendering of toys. This point was one of many I tried to put across during my talk on why the … Continue reading

Posted in Communicating Science, Hay Festival, lego, Let Toys be Toys, Women in science | Comments Off on Get a Life

Masquerading Amongst the Literati

Things did not get off to a good start as I travelled to Hay-on-Wye this week. I arrived at Hereford railway station to be greeted by – nothing. No sign of the car meant to be picking me up to … Continue reading

Posted in audiences, Communicating Science, Equality, gender, Hay Festival, lego, Women in science | Comments Off on Masquerading Amongst the Literati

Writer’s Block

Regular readers of my blog will have noticed there has been nothing new to read for a while.  I guess this could be ascribed simply to the familiar problem of writer’s block, but it felt more like a complete loss … Continue reading

Posted in Blogging, Communicating Science, email, energy, inbox, Science Culture | Comments Off on Writer’s Block

European Reflections from Padua

The ERC (European Research Council) last month celebrated its 10th Anniversary. Judging by the speeches and conversations on the day, ranging from  Commissioner Moedas and President Juncker to the ERC’s many grantees, it seems to be widely considered as rapidly … Continue reading

Posted in Brexit, Elena Piscopia, ERC, Science Culture, Science Funding, William Harvey | Comments Off on European Reflections from Padua

Success does not preclude Humanity

Mental health on campus is frequently in the news. It is widespread, as it is within just about every other sector. If you haven’t suffered from a period of depression yourself, it is almost inevitable you know someone who has … Continue reading

Posted in depression, Meaning of Success, Science Culture, support, Women in science | Comments Off on Success does not preclude Humanity

Making the most of our ASSET’s

When it comes to the reality of what it’s really like for women in academic science, it is always useful to have evidence up one’s sleeve to make a point as well as merely be able to relate anecdotes, personal … Continue reading

Posted in ASSET2016, HeforShe, Hong Kong, SAGE Australia, Science Culture, Sydney, Women in science | Comments Off on Making the most of our ASSET’s