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August 2026 S M T W T F S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31
Author Archives: Athene Donald
Compartmentalising our Passions
As scientists, many in the world believe we are reductionist, breaking everything down into component parts. For some humanities’ scholars this can be equated to the fact that we can’t possibly be creative or, in Thomas Carlyle’s words (in 1833), … Continue reading
Posted in British Science Association, Communicating Science, CP Snow, Michael Berkeley, Music, Private Passions, Science Culture
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Multitasking in the Public Eye
I spent much of the last week in Belgium. A long-scheduled trip, I spent a couple of nights in Brussels and one in Leuven. With Cambridge-Brussels being easy and streamlined (usually at least) via Eurostar, this should have been a … Continue reading
Posted in BBC, British Science Association, Communicating Science, Justin Webb, LERU
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Now I am Five*
This week I was stalking people. Professionally of course. As a Trustee of the Science Museum a group of us were invited to do some ‘Gallery Observations’ of visitors to get a sense of how they interact with the exhibits. … Continue reading
Posted in anniversary, audience, Blogging, Communicating Science, Science Museum, Writing
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Choosing an Oxbridge College
As one cohort of students are celebrating (or coming to terms with) which university they’ll be heading off to this autumn, another cohort are considering their Year 12 results. For this latter group, decisions loom about UCAS forms. Which universities … Continue reading
Posted in A levels, academia, admissions, Cambridge, Churchill College, education
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When Did You Decide to…..?
People seem to think that life travels in straight, orderly lines, with everything mapped out from birth. I have never felt that my life was like that and it is always startling when I find other people assume that I … Continue reading
Posted in careers, decisions, experience, interviews, Science Culture
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I Refuse to Think Like a Man
The recipe for success for women has been identified as Look like a girl, Act like a lady, Think like a man, Work like a boss. (or at least it was until the Bic South Africa advertising poster was pulled … Continue reading
Posted in Bic South Africa, diversity, Equality, Megan Henley, metrics, Women in science
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Those Annoying Little Habits
New lecturers are encouraged, possibly even compelled, to allow themselves to be videoed giving presentations/lectures so they can improve their teaching styles. Even before then, early career researchers may be offered that option and it is probably wise to accept. … Continue reading
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The Importance of Evidence, the Need for #Just1Action4WIS
I’m sorry, this is yet another piece of writing in the wake of the Tim Hunt debacle. I find I am still very angry. We are, I hope, reaching the end of the saga yet little in the way of … Continue reading
Posted in Connie St Louis, evidence, louise mensch, Mary Collins, Science Culture, Tim Hunt, Women in science
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Where are the Wild Places of our Souls?
I’m not sure if it’s unconsciously deliberate, but this year – as last – I took a fascinating book about our countryside to read during my week’s holiday away from Cambridge. This year I went to the south end of … Continue reading
Posted in book review, George Monbiot, Lake District, natural history, rewilding, Robert MacFarlane
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Why Such Tepid Governmental Aspirations?
The Government talks about ‘naming and shaming’ to close the pay gender pay gap, aspiring to close it within a generation. It is perhaps worth remembering when the Equal Pay Act came into force – 1970! 35 years on and … Continue reading
Posted in Athena Swan, culture change, Equality, gender pay gap, Women in science
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