Author Archives: Athene Donald

Mulling it Over

Posted on 6 August 2014 by Athene Donald

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

Posted on 31 July 2014 by Athene Donald

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

Posted on 25 July 2014 by Athene Donald

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!

Posted on 20 July 2014 by Athene Donald

…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

Posted on 16 July 2014 by Athene Donald

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

Posted on 13 July 2014 by Athene Donald

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

Posted on 4 July 2014 by Athene Donald

“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

Posted on 30 June 2014 by Athene Donald

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

Well-rounded Students – What does it Take?

Posted on 26 June 2014 by Athene Donald

WS Gilbert thought it was ‘comical…that every boy and every gal… is either a little Liberal or else a little Conservative’ in the words expressed by that bored sentry PC Willis. The politics would be different now, but we in … Continue reading →

Posted in A levels, British Academy, education, International Baccalaureate, Royal Society, Tessa Blackstone, Vision report | Comments Off on Well-rounded Students – What does it Take?

Leadership by Gravitas or Passion?

Posted on 21 June 2014 by Athene Donald

A couple of years ago I blogged about my feelings about leadership and role models. The difference is clear and whereas then I felt OK about being considered one of the latter I had issues with regarding myself as a … Continue reading →

Posted in committee meetings, innovation, leadership, Science Culture | Comments Off on Leadership by Gravitas or Passion?