Author Archives: Athene Donald

How Not to Spend a Bank Holiday

Posted on 4 June 2012 by Athene Donald

While most of the country is thriving on a diet of bunting, boats on the Thames, nostalgia and street parties, many of us in Cambridge are struggling with more mundane matters. Exams. The University of Cambridge cannot afford, in its … Continue reading →

Posted in Cambridge life, education, examinations, marking, practical classes, undergraduates | Comments Off on How Not to Spend a Bank Holiday

Who are You Calling a Geek?

Posted on 31 May 2012 by Athene Donald

In my last post, I threw out the fact that I didn’t feel the word ‘geek’ was necessarily going to encourage young girls to see science/engineering as a career for them, a point that was picked up both by my … Continue reading →

Posted in adolescence, careers, education, Geek Manifesto, Women in science | Comments Off on Who are You Calling a Geek?

A Shocking Waste of Talent

Posted on 26 May 2012 by Athene Donald

This piece first appeared in Fabiana, the magazine of the Fabian’s Women Network, on May 21st 2012, in an issue devoted to Finding the Way to Growth.  The whole issue can be found here. Much has been made of the … Continue reading →

Posted in diversity, economy, Equality, Fabiana, innovation, leaky pipeline, Women in science | Comments Off on A Shocking Waste of Talent

On the So-called ‘Death’ of British Science

Posted on 20 May 2012 by Athene Donald

This week saw the delivery of a funeral wreath and coffin to the Houses of Parliament. Why? Because a new grouping called Science for the Future decided to declare to MP’s the ‘death’ of British science. Actually what they were … Continue reading →

Posted in EPSRC, Philip Moriarty, politicians, Science for the Future, Science Funding | Comments Off on On the So-called ‘Death’ of British Science

Celebrating Success (Even if Progress is Slow)

Posted on 16 May 2012 by Athene Donald

Last week (the lack of) women in science actually made it onto BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, when Lesley Yellowlees – President-elect of the Royal Society of Chemistry – spoke out about the lack of women in her own and … Continue reading →

Posted in Athena Swan awards. Leeds University, Equality, Lesley Yellowlees, Royal Society, Science Culture, Women in science | Comments Off on Celebrating Success (Even if Progress is Slow)

To Confront or Not to Confront

Posted on 12 May 2012 by Athene Donald

Just over a year ago I pressed the ‘publish’ button on a post with some trepidation. I felt I was exposing some inner anxieties that maybe were better not exposed. Your collective response to the post in question ‘I can … Continue reading →

Posted in complaints, Equality, inappropriate behaviour, misogyny, Women in science | Comments Off on To Confront or Not to Confront

Collini and Science

Posted on 6 May 2012 by Athene Donald

A couple of months ago Stefan Collini published his book ‘What are Universities for?’ to much interest. This book was reviewed in many places including here on OT by Erika Cule, although overall the reviews were pretty mixed. Peter Conrad … Continue reading →

Posted in book review, education, Research, scholarship, Stefan Collini, Universities | Comments Off on Collini and Science

Conferences and Courage

Posted on 2 May 2012 by Athene Donald

Exactly a year ago I wrote about the annual High Polymer Research Group Conference, held at the edge of the Peak District. Over the years I have watched it transform from an inward-looking cliquey organisation, where I initially sat right … Continue reading →

Posted in conference attendance, questions, Science Culture, speaking up, Women in science | Comments Off on Conferences and Courage

How Many Arms do you Have?

Posted on 27 April 2012 by Athene Donald

I was amused  by the throwaway comment Bettany Hughes made in her recent TV programme Divine Women  about the Hindu Goddess Kali’s many arms being ideal for multitasking. Academics of all ages would benefit from growing a few more limbs, … Continue reading →

Posted in careers, multi-tasking, Science Culture, stress | Comments Off on How Many Arms do you Have?

10 Things You Should Know about Election to the Royal Society

Posted on 20 April 2012 by Athene Donald

There has been much consternation today in the Twittersphere –  and no doubt elsewhere too  – about the fact that there were only two women this year in the list of 44 new Fellows elected to the Royal Society. It … Continue reading →

Posted in election, Equality, FRS, Royal Society, Women in science | Comments Off on 10 Things You Should Know about Election to the Royal Society