Author Archives: Athene Donald

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

Spreading the Word, Drop by Drop

Posted on 12 October 2014 by Athene Donald

There are times when I feel as if I’m talked out about gender. I know what the issues are, I’ve written and spoken about them often enough; I’ve dug up and read through some of the relevant papers (though that … Continue reading →

Posted in Equality, Ottoline Leyser, promotion, Science Culture, speaking out, Unconscious bias, Women in science | Comments Off on Spreading the Word, Drop by Drop

From a New Viewpoint

Posted on 8 October 2014 by Athene Donald

I have moved a mere mile or two from my previous home to my new abode at Churchill College, and yet it feels as if everything has shifted: my centre of gravity is this crucial mile further west and everything … Continue reading →

Posted in Cambridge, Churchill College, College Life, Science Culture, students | Comments Off on From a New Viewpoint

Getting the Most out of Panel Discussions

Posted on 3 October 2014 by Athene Donald

When I set out as a young researcher, conferences had a pretty monolithic structure. There were longer talks and there were shorter talks, but that was it. I don’t even think the first conferences I attended had poster sessions. Talks … Continue reading →

Posted in audience participation, chairing, conferences, Science Culture, time-keeping | Comments Off on Getting the Most out of Panel Discussions

Is the Royal Society Treating Women Fairly?

Posted on 25 September 2014 by Athene Donald

This year’s announcement regarding successful applicants for Royal Society University Research Fellowships (URFs) has been hailed with deep suspicion by many. Out of 43 awards only 2 went to women and there is no getting around the fact that this … Continue reading →

Posted in Equality, interviews, Science Funding, Unconscious bias, University Research Fellows, Women in science | Comments Off on Is the Royal Society Treating Women Fairly?

What’s Wrong with Conferences?

Posted on 21 September 2014 by Athene Donald

September is customarily a busy month for conferences, often with too many interesting ones that clash. What makes for a good meeting? Exciting talks, which you haven’t heard before (so not just lazy wheeling out of the usual suspects by … Continue reading →

Posted in clocks, Communicating Science, keynote speakers, poster sessions, Science Culture | Comments Off on What’s Wrong with Conferences?

Who Isn’t an Impostor?

Posted on 15 September 2014 by Athene Donald

Last week I attended the last day of the British Science Association‘s Festival in Birmingham. There was a real buzz about the place and it had clearly been an extremely successful few days. I enjoyed hearing Ineke de Moortel – … Continue reading →

Posted in British Science Association, Communicating Science, Impostor syndrome, Paul Nurse, Robin Ince, Science Culture, Steve Cross | Comments Off on Who Isn’t an Impostor?

Fresh Start, Fresh Anxieties

Posted on 10 September 2014 by Athene Donald

This is the time of year when anxious students-to-be – and their parents – are contemplating their future. Having established that they have got into University X once A level results are known, they have to work out what the … Continue reading →

Posted in Cambridge University, Churchill College, Freshers, Science Culture | Comments Off on Fresh Start, Fresh Anxieties