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Author Archives: Athene Donald
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
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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
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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
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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
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When Your PhD Goes Wrong
There is no point pretending that research often doesn’t pan out the way one hopes and dreams about. All kinds of things can go wrong in both the short and long term, and these are not always your own fault … Continue reading
Posted in electron microscopy, failure, Research, Science Culture, scoop
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Being Media-Savvy
I’m a great believer in media training, but the reality is that it isn’t as simple as ‘one size fits all’. Any training will no doubt help confidence and maybe point out your good and bad traits, but how to … Continue reading
Posted in Communicating Science, Gwyneth Williams, jim Al Khalili, Referendum, Science Culture, Sir Leszek Borysiewicz, The Life Scientific
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Why Lazy Stereotyping is Damaging
I was very pleased to hear a male academic referred to as ‘not a shrinking violet’ the other day. Not because I was feeling particularly vindictive towards the person concerned, but because I have always thought that this unpleasant phrase … Continue reading
Posted in Angela Saini, Cordelia Fine, Equality, IOP, Women in science
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Depersonalising the REF
Successive rounds of the RAE and its successor REF have always caused high levels of stress and anxiety. The associated workload is very substantial for institutions (and many individuals); the stakes are high in terms of both reputation and funding. … Continue reading
Posted in HEFCE, Research, Royal Society, Science Culture, Science Funding, Stern Review
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Thinking Longitudinally and Long-term
There are many things we take for granted these days that were once mysteries. To take a specific example, relevant to the rest of this post, I’d include the fact that smoking during pregnancy has implications for both the immediate … Continue reading
Posted in birth, children, Cohort studies, Research, Science Culture, social science
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No More ‘Male by Default’ Please
Another year, another International Women’s Day. This year the strapline is ‘be bold for change’. A good motto but many will feel that boldness is dangerous in the face of opposition or incomprehension. Incomprehension is perhaps commoner than one thinks: … Continue reading
Posted in confidence, Equality, International Women's Day, leadership, promotion, Women in science
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