Author Archives: Athene Donald

Why Lazy Stereotyping is Damaging

Posted on 23 March 2017 by Athene Donald

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 | Comments Off on Why Lazy Stereotyping is Damaging

Depersonalising the REF

Posted on 17 March 2017 by Athene Donald

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 | Comments Off on Depersonalising the REF

Thinking Longitudinally and Long-term

Posted on 14 March 2017 by Athene Donald

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 | Comments Off on Thinking Longitudinally and Long-term

No More ‘Male by Default’ Please

Posted on 8 March 2017 by Athene Donald

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 | Comments Off on No More ‘Male by Default’ Please

Five Minutes Peace (and Preferably a Lot More)

Posted on 2 March 2017 by Athene Donald

Any parent will be familiar with the desire to find a quiet corner where the children can’t find them. Many readers will also know all about the antics of the Large Family, a family of elephants, in Jill Murphy’s tale … Continue reading →

Posted in diary, email, Science Culture, time | Comments Off on Five Minutes Peace (and Preferably a Lot More)

Are You Authentic?

Posted on 23 February 2017 by Athene Donald

‘Be true to yourself’ is a well-worn phrase, almost a mantra. I  know I pepper talks (and writing) with the phrase. I think I know exactly what I mean and had assumed others did too. I do not mean that … Continue reading →

Posted in career, choices, decisions, Science Culture | Comments Off on Are You Authentic?

Building a Humane Workplace

Posted on 17 February 2017 by Athene Donald

This is the unabridged/unedited version of an article that first appeared a couple of weeks ago in Optics and Photonics. Increasingly industry has woken up to the fact that diverse teams make better decisions and, by implication, make more money. … Continue reading →

Posted in bullying, Equality, group dynamics, sexism | Comments Off on Building a Humane Workplace

Let’s Celebrate with UNESCO

Posted on 11 February 2017 by Athene Donald

Today, February 11th 2017, is the first UNESCO’s International Day of Women & Girls in Science. This is a day to remind ourselves not that ‘you’ve come a long way baby’ in the words of a now infamous advertisement campaign … Continue reading →

Posted in encouragement, Eugenia Kumacheva, L'Oreal For Women in Science, Science Culture, Women in science | Comments Off on Let’s Celebrate with UNESCO

Conspiracy or Cock-up?

Posted on 3 February 2017 by Athene Donald

Inclusivity seems something of a current buzzword. When Theresa May came to office she stated clearly in her first speech that ‘we won’t entrench the advantages of the fortunate few’. One of her immediate actions was to call for an … Continue reading →

Posted in BEIS, Equality, Science Funding, Sir John Kingman, Sir Mark Walport, UKRI | Comments Off on Conspiracy or Cock-up?

Cultural Values in a Time Warp

Posted on 29 January 2017 by Athene Donald

At the start of the year I wrote about my frustrations with the slow pace of change, specifically with regard to the situation for women in science in academia but also more broadly. This week I am forcibly reminded again … Continue reading →

Posted in Barbie dolls, education, Equality, gender stereotypes, self-belief, toys | Comments Off on Cultural Values in a Time Warp