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Author Archives: Athene Donald
Mary Somerville
Somerville College in Oxford is much better known than the woman it was named after, Mary Somerville, an eminent scientist who had died 7 years before the founding of the college in 1879. Mary Somerville (1780-1872) was a polymath, an … Continue reading
Posted in 19th century science, History of Science, science writing, William Whewell, Women in science
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Hype, Impact and Direct Action
The issue of ‘impact’ appears here to stay in UK research. There has been much written about it, including by fellow OT blogger Stephen Curry here. With the draft guidelines for the REF about to be published, in which impact … Continue reading
Posted in Communicating Science, pathways to impact statements, press releases, Public Engagement, Research, Science Culture, Science Funding
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Victims and Support Systems
In my recent post on dealing with (or failing to do so) inappropriate remarks, the importance of mentoring was raised by Jenny Koenig. She said This is where mentoring is really important: to have someone else to listen and to … Continue reading
Posted in advice, harassment, mentors, Science Culture, support, Women in science
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For Women in Science (FWIS Fellowships)
Prizes for Women? Again? What more can I possibly have to say, having written twice (here and here) in different veins on this subject already. Tomorrow I chair the jury to judge this year’s L’Oreal/UNESCO For Women in Science UK … Continue reading
Posted in career progression, Communicating Science, Equality, L'Oreal For Women in Science, role models, Royal Society, Women in science
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What Will the Future Look Like?
What follows is a book review I have written for the Times Higher Education Supplement (THE) published today. Physics of the Future: How Science Will Shape Human Destiny and our Daily Lives by the Year 2100 By Michio Kaku Allen … Continue reading
Posted in book review, Communicating Science, futuristic science, Michio Kaku, Research
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Scientific Breadth: The Good and the Bad
This week I am giving three different major talks; no, not just ‘different’, utterly and totally different. This is definitely a week of diversity in my powerpoint presentations, though none of them is actually about diversity. Linking in to a … Continue reading
Posted in career progression, interdisciplinarity, Interdisciplinary Science, promotion, Research, Science Culture
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ASSET 2010 – A Metaphorical Call to Arms for HEI’s
There is a danger that the message that there is an uneven playing field for women in science (and indeed in many other fields) has been repeated so often that it is no longer heard. However, it is still true. … Continue reading
Posted in appraisal, ASSET, Equality, promotion, Science Culture, success, Women in science
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Putting Together and Taking Apart
A couple of my recent posts have looked at the needs of postdocs, their training (or lack thereof), aspirations and the need for them to take control of their lives. So it seems appropriate to spare a thought – or … Continue reading
Posted in conference, graduate student, Interdisciplinary Science, nanotechnology, Research, Science Culture, training
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Unlocking Potential?
Today I attended an event at the British Academy to launch a pamphlet produced under the auspices of the Smith Institute, a think tank which promotes progressive policies for a fairer society and named in honour of the former Labour … Continue reading
Posted in Careers advice, education, Equality, Meg Munn, retaining women, Smith Institute, Women in science
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Unconscious Bias and the Impact on Women entering Science
This is text of the talk I gave at the Howthelightgetsin Festival at Hay at the weekend. The talk was misleadingly entitled ‘Saving Science’ by the organisers, trailed as how women can ‘save’ science, but it is really about how … Continue reading
Posted in Equality, Project Implicit, role models, stereotype threat, Unconscious bias, Women in science
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