Author Archives: Athene Donald

Blood and More Blood

Posted on 3 September 2012 by Athene Donald

Gonville and Caius College in Cambridge is understandably proud of its tradition in medicine. One of its illustrious alumni is William Harvey, who studied there in the 1590’s before going on to publish evidence to demonstrate the circulation of blood. … Continue reading →

Posted in anatomy, book review, circulation, dissection, Gonville and Caius College, History of Science, William Harvey | Comments Off on Blood and More Blood

If You Want a Job Done….

Posted on 30 August 2012 by Athene Donald

.…ask a busy person is the usual way to complete the phrase. But although this may be wise for the person wanting the job done, it’s tough on those paragons who repeatedly get asked to take on new duties. Hence … Continue reading →

Posted in committee membership, professors, Research, Science Culture, selfishness, workload model | Comments Off on If You Want a Job Done….

Get a Wife!

Posted on 24 August 2012 by Athene Donald

This useful phrase seems to be the advice proffered by one physicist – male of course – to questions about how to succeed in an academic career.  It says a lot about what may go wrong for women also trying … Continue reading →

Posted in academic couples, career progression, childcare, Equality, marriage, partner, Women in science | Comments Off on Get a Wife!

On Being Inefficient

Posted on 20 August 2012 by Athene Donald

Academia is a great place for being judged on outputs, and I’m not just referring to the kind of output relevant to the REF. But, be it papers written, worked examples provided, grants submitted or students tutored, we are expected … Continue reading →

Posted in multi-tasking, PhD, PhD thesis writing, Research, Science Culture | Comments Off on On Being Inefficient

Sitting in my Corner

Posted on 17 August 2012 by Athene Donald

Today I find myself in the illustrious company of the well-known bloggers over at the Guardian Science Blogs. As Richard Grant and  Stephen Curry already spelled out a week ago, we happy band of OT bloggers have a new outpost … Continue reading →

Posted in blogs, Guardian, journalism, Science Culture | Comments Off on Sitting in my Corner

I Am Not A Bimbo

Posted on 13 August 2012 by Athene Donald

 Not so long ago I read a distressed ‘rant’  about being catcalled in London, from a woman who seemed persistently to be subjected to it – and worse. Alice voiced her anger and her misery in detail and provoked a … Continue reading →

Posted in demeaning, dinner conversation, Equality, patronising, social interactions, Women in science | Comments Off on I Am Not A Bimbo

Staffing Matters

Posted on 9 August 2012 by Athene Donald

How good are Universities as places of employment? The THE ran a couple of stories last week, headed ‘higher education staffing’, looking at the age distribution of academic staff, and the gender pay gap. I don’t think either of these … Continue reading →

Posted in age distribution, Equality, gender pay gap, retirement, Times Higher Education | Comments Off on Staffing Matters

Uncertainty is Not Terminal….

Posted on 3 August 2012 by Athene Donald

…it applies to life and it applies to tackling science. It was the phrase picked out by one tweeter from the speech I gave at the University of Exeter a couple of weeks ago when receiving, with some nervousness, an … Continue reading →

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Work-Life Balance for Whom?

Posted on 30 July 2012 by Athene Donald

Can women ‘have it all’ (i.e. have a family as well as a career) is a question frequently asked, and one Sally Feldman referred to in her article in last week’s Times Higher Education. Although the sub-title for her article … Continue reading →

Posted in chidcare, paternity leave, Women in science | Comments Off on Work-Life Balance for Whom?

By Degrees

Posted on 26 July 2012 by Athene Donald

I’m reminded of the words of the Joni Mitchell song stating “I’ve looked at life from both sides now” as I consider my feelings regarding degree ceremonies. I think I have by now looked at graduation from just about every … Continue reading →

Posted in ceremony, education, graduands, graduation, Latin, Universities | Comments Off on By Degrees