Author Archives: Athene Donald

Should I Be Discombobulated?

Posted on 12 December 2014 by Athene Donald

If I were Mary Beard I’m sure I could tell you about my particular current predicament with grace and self-deprecating humour. As it is my reaction is a severe case of impostor syndrome when perhaps I should be swanning around … Continue reading →

Posted in portraiture, role models, Science Culture, Tess Barnes, Women in science | Comments Off on Should I Be Discombobulated?

On Sponsorship and Kindness

Posted on 7 December 2014 by Athene Donald

Academia is intrinsically competitive, full of the need to win grants – which necessarily implies winning out over nameless others – gaining promotion and trying to beat others to a hot result at the expense of colleagues in the game. … Continue reading →

Posted in criticism, early career researcher, Equality, Science Culture, support, Women in science | Comments Off on On Sponsorship and Kindness

The Choices Not Taken

Posted on 30 November 2014 by Athene Donald

It is all too easy to think our lives are determined by the choices we make, and of course to a large extent that is true. But it is equally true that our lives are determined by what we actively … Continue reading →

Posted in decision-making, opportunity cost, Science Culture, tasks | Comments Off on The Choices Not Taken

Why do I Always come away from Meetings Feeling a Fool?

Posted on 23 November 2014 by Athene Donald

That was the plaintive question I saw recently on Twitter (actually not from anyone I knew). There is of course the possibility the person is a fool, but my guess is that they were simply feeling that they weren’t doing … Continue reading →

Posted in committee meetings, experience, preparation, Science Culture, speaking | Comments Off on Why do I Always come away from Meetings Feeling a Fool?

Where Can You Speak Out Safely?

Posted on 17 November 2014 by Athene Donald

The media is full of stories around men behaving inappropriately – or worse – currently. These range from #shirtstorm in the wake of Matt Taylor’s press conference regarding the successful landing of Philae (a sad distraction from the amazingly successful … Continue reading →

Posted in Equality, harassment, philosophy, SASSY, Science Culture, sexism | Comments Off on Where Can You Speak Out Safely?

What Makes a Breakthrough?

Posted on 12 November 2014 by Athene Donald

Until a few days ago, I’d never really thought very much about the Breakthrough Prize, a huge collection of prizes created by Mark Zuckerberg and friends. Or, more precisely a smallish collection of huge prizes, the big ones each being … Continue reading →

Posted in BBC, Breakthrough Prize, Communicating Science, Longitude Prize, Saul Perlmutter, Science Funding, YourLIfe | Comments Off on What Makes a Breakthrough?

When the Magic Falters

Posted on 7 November 2014 by Athene Donald

This autumn in Cambridge the weather has been rather kind. The trees around the College have been spectacular, reminding me of fall in New England, and until recently cycling has been possible without any sort of jacket as opposed to … Continue reading →

Posted in challenges, depression, education, exhilaration, Science Culture | Comments Off on When the Magic Falters

Improvising As You Go

Posted on 31 October 2014 by Athene Donald

Just occasionally one sits down with a new book, starts to read and a great sense of calm, of recognition and of identification with the words in front of you descends. It’s all too rare but is wonderful when it … Continue reading →

Posted in careers, Catherine Bateson, mentor, Wow | Comments Off on Improvising As You Go

Cambridge Admissions – Dispelling the Myths

Posted on 24 October 2014 by Athene Donald

Myths abound about admission to Cambridge, despite all attempts to put out some real hard facts (and similarly by Oxford). The interview process itself, which both universities use, seems to be shrouded in particular mystique. Cambridge has recently posted a … Continue reading →

Posted in education, Equality, interviews, state schools, widening participation | Comments Off on Cambridge Admissions – Dispelling the Myths

Lifeskills I Wish I Possessed

Posted on 19 October 2014 by Athene Donald

I have been, briefly, in Brussels observing some ERC panels far from my area of expertise. It’s a very interesting experience, approaching topics one knows nothing about (including not having read the proposals) but watching how proceedings unfold. As a … Continue reading →

Posted in bicycles, ERC, Science Culture, sleep | Comments Off on Lifeskills I Wish I Possessed