Author Archives: Athene Donald

Science, Culture and All That Jazz

Posted on 31 May 2015 by Athene Donald

People seem to think that science and culture are two different things. Just as Stefan Collini, in his 2012 book ‘What are Universities for? ’ constantly referred to scientists and scholars, as if scientists were unable to join the (implied … Continue reading →

Posted in Communicating Science, Matthew Arnold, Melvyn Bragg, Science Culture, Two Cultures | Comments Off on Science, Culture and All That Jazz

How Broad is Broad?

Posted on 24 May 2015 by Athene Donald

Most conferences provide food for thought and my participation this week in the Global Scholars Symposium in Cambridge certainly fulfilled my expectations in this respect. Although I was meant to be the one doing the talking, there was also time … Continue reading →

Posted in career paths, interdisciplinarity, Research, Science Culture, Science policy | Comments Off on How Broad is Broad?

Do you have a sponsor? (Do you need one?)

Posted on 17 May 2015 by Athene Donald

I have been reading the book by Sylvia Ann Hewlett on sponsorship: (Forget a Mentor) Find a Sponsor. Sylvia very kindly gave me a copy of this book when I met her in March where we were both talking at … Continue reading →

Posted in advice, careers, mentors, Science Culture | Comments Off on Do you have a sponsor? (Do you need one?)

On the Loss of a Giant

Posted on 9 May 2015 by Athene Donald

At the turn of the year I wrote about the death of Ed Kramer, one of the two key people in my life who turned me into the person I am as a scientist. I am deeply saddened to learn … Continue reading →

Posted in Cavendish Professor, Science Culture, Sir Sam Edwards, soft matter physics | Comments Off on On the Loss of a Giant

Knowledge versus Experience

Posted on 4 May 2015 by Athene Donald

One of the things that is always said about teaching is that it shows you what you do or don’t know. You can’t flannel an explanation to a student who keeps asking probing questions though you may manage to do … Continue reading →

Posted in career progression, Communicating Science, mentoring, public speaking, Science Culture | Comments Off on Knowledge versus Experience

The Perils of Procrastination

Posted on 29 April 2015 by Athene Donald

Voter registration in the UK showed just how many people are good at procrastination, with nearly half a million people registering on the last possible day. My email inbox is also a good indicator of people’s expectation that we are … Continue reading →

Posted in computers, lectures, preparation, Science Culture | Comments Off on The Perils of Procrastination

The Myth of the ‘Myth of Women in Science’

Posted on 21 April 2015 by Athene Donald

If you skimmed through some articles about women in science recently, you’d be forgiven for thinking ‘problem solved’. A recent study by Cecil and Williams, published in no less august a publication than PNAS, claimed women actually had a 2:1 … Continue reading →

Posted in Equality, hiring, microinequities, tenure track, Women in science | Comments Off on The Myth of the ‘Myth of Women in Science’

On the Need for Shiny New Facilities

Posted on 16 April 2015 by Athene Donald

I’m off to open a new block at Brighton and Hove Sixth Form College tomorrow. A shiny new building to provide fresh classrooms and additional study space, something many schools would dearly love to have. A decent working environment is … Continue reading →

Posted in careers, education, practical work, school facilities | Comments Off on On the Need for Shiny New Facilities

Leadership (Churchillian style) and Policy

Posted on 12 April 2015 by Athene Donald

Churchill is often seen as the supreme leader, a man whose very voice inspired a nation and who held the country’s nerve during the Battle of Britain. Less often discussed is his leadership and behaviour at other times, although increasingly … Continue reading →

Posted in Churchill College, CSaP, de Gaulle, policy-makers, Science policy | Comments Off on Leadership (Churchillian style) and Policy

Borrowing an Objective

Posted on 5 April 2015 by Athene Donald

Maybe it’s because I’m relaxed as it’s the Easter break, but when I received an email with ‘Borrowing an Objective‘ as its subject this week, my mind went into overdrive. I assumed someone was short of a goal, an aspiration … Continue reading →

Posted in Equality, HE, Science Culture, targets, Universities | Comments Off on Borrowing an Objective