Author Archives: Athene Donald

On the Email Mountain

August is a quiet month on the email front. Few committee meetings are occurring to clog up the inbox with their multiple attachments of papers. Plus many people are away from their own computers during the school holidays and they … Continue reading

Posted in August, inbox, language, Science Culture | Comments Off on On the Email Mountain

Transparency versus Diversity

Within the EU, Commissioner Neelie Kroes is leading the push to have a Commission with a female contingent that is at least beginning to be representative of the population. Her call for #TenOrMore women commissioners doesn’t sound unreasonable: it would … Continue reading

Posted in committee membership, diversity, Equality, nomination, Science Culture, Women in science | Comments Off on Transparency versus Diversity

Mulling it Over

Writing. Putting finger to keyboard. Churning out the thesis (or paper or grant proposal). This week’s cartoon in the THE reflected on this challenge of thesis-writing, ending with the punchline ‘Writing: the most impossible short distance in the history of … Continue reading

Posted in Communicating Science, PhD thesis, prose, Science Culture, Writing | Comments Off on Mulling it Over

It’s the Individual Who Makes a Difference

Mentors are often highlighted as being crucial to success. People who look out for you, advise you when you’re feeling confused or lost, who point you towards opportunities you might otherwise have missed and who are there to offer encouragement … Continue reading

Posted in Lord (Jack) Lewis, mentoring, parenting, Science Culture | Comments Off on It’s the Individual Who Makes a Difference

Parental Leave and Sexism

Parental Leave and Sexism There’s been a bit of a twitterstorm about the story of a ‘techie mom’ who overheard a conversation between two presumed IBM executives on the subject of hiring women. Their view was, don’t do it: they … Continue reading

Posted in Equality, maternityleave, misogyny, paternity leave, techie, Women in science | Comments Off on Parental Leave and Sexism

Llongyfarchiadau!

…or ‘Congratulations’ in English. Up and down the country this is the time of year for graduation ceremonies. Proud parents, wider family and friends go along to watch their loved ones briefly smile and shake the (Vice)Chancellor’s hand, or something … Continue reading

Posted in graduation, Photography, Science Culture, Swansea University | Comments Off on Llongyfarchiadau!

Shuffling Forward in Education

This week has been full of surprises in Whitehall. The departure of David Willetts was foreseen. Indeed, it has been predicted just about every time there has been a ministerial reshuffle in the recent past. He will be missed by … Continue reading

Posted in education, michael gove, ministers, Nick Gibb, reshuffle, Royal Society, Vision for STEM education | Comments Off on Shuffling Forward in Education

Holiday Questions in Natural History

Last week I escaped to the Shropshire hills and blissfully allowed my brain to stop turning over matters concerning committee-work, exams, grants and other responsibilities past, present and future. Instead I have been exercising my limbs up and down the … Continue reading

Posted in book review, neonicotinoids, ornithology, red kite, red kites, Science Culture | Comments Off on Holiday Questions in Natural History

Metrics, Fulfilment and Career Trajectories

“More effort should be done on understanding people paths. We are too much focused on processes and structures.” JP Bourguignon #esof2014 I was struck by this quote I saw on Twitter from the ERC President Jean-Pierre Bourguignon, because of course … Continue reading

Posted in academia, careers, CV, DORA, impact factor | Comments Off on Metrics, Fulfilment and Career Trajectories

Moving on from Tokenism

Last week much was made of the fact that, finally, all the UK’s FTSE100 companies have at least one female Board member with Glencore, the last to make the grade, appointing the Canadian Patrice Merrin as a non-executive director. Vince … Continue reading

Posted in Equality, EU Gender Summit, FTSE100, Gendered Innovations, Women in science | Comments Off on Moving on from Tokenism