Author Archives: Athene Donald

The Patronising Colleague

Posted on 18 June 2017 by Athene Donald

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

Posted on 8 June 2017 by Athene Donald

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

Posted on 1 June 2017 by Athene Donald

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

Posted on 28 May 2017 by Athene Donald

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

Posted on 27 April 2017 by Athene Donald

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

Posted on 21 April 2017 by Athene Donald

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

Posted on 14 April 2017 by Athene Donald

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

Making the most of our ASSET’s

Posted on 14 April 2017 by Athene Donald

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

When Your PhD Goes Wrong

Posted on 6 April 2017 by Athene Donald

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 | Comments Off on When Your PhD Goes Wrong

Being Media-Savvy

Posted on 29 March 2017 by Athene Donald

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 | Comments Off on Being Media-Savvy