Author Archives: Athene Donald

University Committees’ Dramatis Personae

Posted on 10 May 2011 by Athene Donald

A little while ago I wrote about those committee members who are ubiquitous but who never would be missed. The cast of characters I described before were those prevalent on grant-giving committees, for instance, and so tended to be a … Continue reading →

Posted in committee membership, committee structure, funding, little list, Science Culture, Science Funding | Comments Off on University Committees’ Dramatis Personae

The Power of Images

Posted on 6 May 2011 by Athene Donald

The low numbers of female role models to inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers is often cited as a major problem in encouraging girls into science and then keeping them there. Comments on this blog have also remarked … Continue reading →

Posted in inspirational, Julia King, Robert Taylor, Royal Academy of Engineering, Royal Society, Science Culture, UKRC, Women in science, Women of Outstanding Achievement | Comments Off on The Power of Images

Getting Philosophical

Posted on 2 May 2011 by Athene Donald

A month or two back, in the editorial for the edition of Eureka discussing science and the media on the back of an event at the Royal Society, it was written We should send chemistry graduates to poetry slams, physicists … Continue reading →

Posted in alternative medicine, Communicating Science, Hay Festival, Human enhancement, Interdisciplinary Science, John Harris, Mary Warnock | Comments Off on Getting Philosophical

Sagacity or Self-Centredness?

Posted on 27 April 2011 by Athene Donald

What should one talk about when asked to talk about one’s life, career path and general advice to a group of young persons? I use that awkward term advisedly to cover the range of categories that encompass schoolchildren, students, postgrads … Continue reading →

Posted in advice, career progression, careers, saying no, Science Culture, self-confidence | Comments Off on Sagacity or Self-Centredness?

Skeletons and Unconscious Bias

Posted on 24 April 2011 by Athene Donald

As scientists we like to believe that we seek and interpret evidence impartially. That has been the accepted position for generations. The reality is of course that we are sometimes influenced, unconsciously or otherwise, by received opinion, ‘experts’ or other … Continue reading →

Posted in accuracy, anatomy, History of Science, Londa Schiebinger, Marie D'Arconville, Science Culture, stereotyping, Unconscious bias, Women in science | Comments Off on Skeletons and Unconscious Bias

Evolution

Posted on 19 April 2011 by Athene Donald

No, not in the Darwinian sense but more in a socio-cultural one. This week I am at an annual conference that I have been attending on and off (but more on) for nearly 30 years, which is a rather sobering … Continue reading →

Posted in conferences, Interdisciplinary Science, networking, Research, Science Culture, young faculty | Comments Off on Evolution

Surviving the Postdoc Experience – or Not

Posted on 14 April 2011 by Athene Donald

Last night I talked at an RSC/IOP event launching a report (Mapping the Future: Physics and Chemistry Researchers’ Experiences and Career Intentions) based on a survey of 776 postdocs. The report illustrates some interesting differences between the cultures experienced in … Continue reading →

Posted in Athena Forum, long hours culture, postdocs, Research, RSC, Science Culture, Vitae, Women in science | Comments Off on Surviving the Postdoc Experience – or Not

Real Life Barbie Dolls

Posted on 10 April 2011 by Athene Donald

Have you come across the T shirts with the encouraging words I’m too PRETTY to do MATH blazoned across them in cute pink lettering? No, nor had I until they were brought to my attention by a member of the … Continue reading →

Posted in advertising, Barbie dolls, Equality, London Mathematical Society, math anxiety, Mumsnet, Science Culture, stereotyping | Comments Off on Real Life Barbie Dolls

Charles Darwin’s Grandfather

Posted on 7 April 2011 by Athene Donald

My friends know that Erasmus Darwin is one of my heroes. Much less well known than his grandson Charles, and whose work is of course far more ephemeral, nevertheless he is a true Renaissance Man – or more strictly an … Continue reading →

Posted in Communicating Science, Desmond King-Hele, Erasmus Darwin, History of Science, Jenny Uglow, Lichfield, Loves of the Plants, the Lunar Society | Comments Off on Charles Darwin’s Grandfather

I can hear you’re getting emotional

Posted on 2 April 2011 by Athene Donald

In the comments for my last post, J0ns1m0ns remarked that he thought the issue of mode of speaking at committee meetings was perhaps a bit of a red herring, but I fear inappropriate remarks and behaviour persist and shouldn’t, indeed … Continue reading →

Posted in empowerment, Equality, inappropriate behaviour, Science Culture, sexism, Women in science | Comments Off on I can hear you’re getting emotional