Author Archives: Erika Cule

John Jackson OBE (1934 – 2023)

Posted on 5 March 2023 by Erika Cule

It is good to read about a life well-lived, I think. Especially if you struggle with your own existential dread. (Following Covid, isn’t that all of us, to a degree?) My mother’s Uncle, John, to us “Uncle John” even though … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Burton Albion FC, Faith, in loving memory, John Jackson, Life, obituary, unlikely fandom | Comments Off on John Jackson OBE (1934 – 2023)

I am evangelical about this

Posted on 14 January 2023 by Erika Cule

PhD students should* consider industry roles; academics should not dissuade them. Ten years ago today I began what I now refer to as my industry detour, a decade spent as a statistical consultant in the pharmaceutical industry. I went directly: … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in alternative careers, career, careers, conferences, Life, PhD, science careers | Comments Off on I am evangelical about this

Computers these days

Posted on 11 January 2023 by Erika Cule

When I was in primary school, in the early nineties, Tesco ran a scheme called Computers for Schools. Shopping at Tesco earned paper vouchers which were collected by local schools. When a school had collected enough vouchers, they could spend them … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Apple, Computers are stupid, Life, Mac, Meta, Tech, Windows | Comments Off on Computers these days

Darwin and the divine

Posted on 1 January 2023 by Erika Cule

On Boxing Day, Jerry Coyne posted his blog post The New York Times touts religious miracles as proof of God. In his post, Coyne deconstructs an essay published in the New York Times. The essay by Molly Worthern uses individual … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Darwin, discernment, Faith, swimming, water | Comments Off on Darwin and the divine

Aphorism

Posted on 23 March 2020 by Erika Cule

Do one day at a time. If you can’t do a day at a time, do an hour at a time. If you can’t do an hour at a time, go minute by minute. If you can’t do minutes, do … Continue reading →

Posted in aphorism, covid19, Life | Comments Off on Aphorism

What is it like to go dating for the first time?

Posted on 22 March 2020 by Erika Cule

In the video, I explore what it is like to go dating for the first time. With thanks to Kate Smurthwaite (who introduces me here and who taught me stand-up comedy), City Academy (through whom I took this course) and … Continue reading →

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Making it up as I go along

Posted on 24 February 2019 by Erika Cule

Until recently, I dreaded public speaking. Hated it, even. No-one told me, when I set out to become a scientist, that presenting my work in front of an audience would be expected. Being scheduled to give a talk, to immediate … Continue reading →

Posted in Comedy, conferences, Fun, Improv, Life, presenting | Comments Off on Making it up as I go along

The New Awkward

Posted on 13 January 2019 by Erika Cule

WhatsApp. It’s like Twitter, but better curated. Blogging lends itself to the meta. Over the years, when I have been battered, bruised and even left bleeding from online exchanges, I think back to my abrupt and unintentional induction into science communication; … Continue reading →

Posted in Awkward, Life, Meta, New | Comments Off on The New Awkward

Ten papers for ten years

Posted on 18 November 2018 by Erika Cule

Scientific paper clip-art Blogging Beyond is about ten years old now.  To celebrate, here are ten papers I like, in chronological order by publication date. Each is accompanied by a short justification for its inclusion in this list. 

Posted in Blogging, Favourites, papers, science | Comments Off on Ten papers for ten years

Making real change happen

Posted on 3 September 2017 by Erika Cule

For those of my readers who are new to my writing, karibuni. Stay with me. The video is for the sake of nostalgia. I am going through a nostalgic phase at the moment.

Posted in Blogging about having been at a conference, Change, conference, conferences, Inducing, Life | Comments Off on Making real change happen

Nostalgia

Posted on 27 August 2017 by Erika Cule

Erika, undergraduate edition, with a fellow student. I do love how I used to be as an undergraduate. During a clear out, I found an academic diary from the first year of my undergraduate studies.

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Commuting and communities

Posted on 8 September 2016 by Erika Cule

Biodiversity in Stevenage Stevenage, Hertfordshire Outpost of The Crick, closed Sundays after 1pm 80 Dartmouth Park Hill, London N19

Posted in Life, Meta, Photography, Skies, Stevenage, The Crick | Comments Off on Commuting and communities

Self promotion

Posted on 31 July 2016 by Erika Cule

Self-promotion via Bad Science Jokes I do find the trope that women do not self-promote tiresome. If I self-promote, does this mean that I am not a woman? It is not in my nature to do disco moves in a … Continue reading →

Posted in Meta, self-promotion; women in science, Women in science | Comments Off on Self promotion

Father’s Day

Posted on 20 June 2016 by Erika Cule

One of the few issues on which my parents both took the same, apparently unwavering and absolute position was that of the sanctity of the secret ballot. Vote, my father said. No vote, no voice, he said. People died for … Continue reading →

Posted in Life, Mock Election, Referendum | Comments Off on Father’s Day

Bibliotherapy

Posted on 11 April 2016 by Erika Cule

When in doubt, read the instructions is to productivity what aphorisms are to meaning.

Posted in aphorism, book reviews, doubt, facebook, instructions, Life, life story, meaning, short poem | Comments Off on Bibliotherapy