Author Archives: Sylvia McLain

About Sylvia McLain

Girl, Interrupting aka Dr. Sylvia McLain used to be an academic, but now is trying to figure out what's next. She is also a proto-science writer, armchair philosopher, amateur plumber and wanna-be film-critic. You can follow her on Twitter @DrSylviaMcLain and Instagram @sylviaellenmclain

Regency Restoration Part 2 – Who doesn’t love a good old Regency tiled floor?

Posted on 11 October 2019 by Sylvia McLain

Really, who doesn’t love a good old tiled floor. So classy. We have tiled floors in our flat, of course we do. Our Regency flat (yes, I am persisiting in calling it that) only became a flat in the early … Continue reading →

Posted in diy, diyqueen, Georgian tiles floors, regency restoration | Comments Off on Regency Restoration Part 2 – Who doesn’t love a good old Regency tiled floor?

Regency restoration – Part 1, use the right product.

Posted on 7 October 2019 by Sylvia McLain

I, along with my husband, am the proud new owner of a Regency flat. The pedants among you will quickly point out that there is no such thing as a Regency flat. This is true, but I think I should … Continue reading →

Posted in diy, diyqueen, leaving academia, PeelAway., regency restoration | Comments Off on Regency restoration – Part 1, use the right product.

Diversity? Who needs your diversity, we already know we are the smartest people in the room.

Posted on 1 October 2018 by Sylvia McLain

I am a member of an exclusive club. We, in our club, decide who the smartest people in the world are. The club, naturally, only contains white women who are below 5 foot 3 inches in height; 1.61 meters for … Continue reading →

Posted in CERN, sexism, Strumia, Women in science | Comments Off on Diversity? Who needs your diversity, we already know we are the smartest people in the room.

On Serena (not the Tennis player) and the Smokies. Read the book, avoid the film.

Posted on 19 September 2018 by Sylvia McLain

“Read this book, you’ll love it. It’s set in Appalachia.” This was what my reading guru said as she handed it to me over the summer.

Posted in Hollywood women, Pacific Standard Productions, Reese Witherspoon, Ron Rash, Serena, Serena the book, women in films | Comments Off on On Serena (not the Tennis player) and the Smokies. Read the book, avoid the film.

On double standards – in Tennis and otherwise

Posted on 12 September 2018 by Sylvia McLain

I know next to nothing about the official rules of Tennis. I do, however, know a bit about double standards. Societally, women are often expected to operate at a different standard to men. Usually, it is a higher standard.

Posted in double standards, Serena Williams, sexism | Comments Off on On double standards – in Tennis and otherwise

On quotas in Academia – do we need them?

Posted on 24 March 2018 by Sylvia McLain

As a graduate student I was asked to participate in a `women in science’ group. I refused. I was an old(er) grad student compared to my cohort, my goal was to get in and get out as fast as practically … Continue reading →

Posted in bias, Unconscious bias, Women in science | Comments Off on On quotas in Academia – do we need them?

On ‘lower impact’ publishing – it’s better than you might think.

Posted on 17 March 2018 by Sylvia McLain

Over the course of the last two or so years, I have had a number of personal issues to deal with. Family illnesses, the sudden death of my older brother and some other things (I will spare you the gory … Continue reading →

Posted in impact factor, scientific publishing | Comments Off on On ‘lower impact’ publishing – it’s better than you might think.

On harassment, the power differential and a modicum of hope

Posted on 14 October 2017 by Sylvia McLain

In 1991, I came down with a sudden stomach bug. As is common when I am too ill to think, all I could manage was planting myself in front of the television in an effort to keep myself mildly distracted … Continue reading →

Posted in Abuse of Power, Anita Hill, Marchant, sexual harassment, Weinstein | Comments Off on On harassment, the power differential and a modicum of hope

On taking a knee

Posted on 30 September 2017 by Sylvia McLain

When I was a teenager the 1980’s there was a spate of burning the Stars and Stripes in the US, as a protest to Ronald Reagan’s policies. Which particular policy is hard to remember as Ronnie had a whole heap … Continue reading →

Posted in racism, take a knee | Comments Off on On taking a knee

On Louise Richardson and the avoidance of homophobic teaching

Posted on 9 September 2017 by Sylvia McLain

Oxford Vice-Chancellor Louise Richardson is causing quite a stir this week. For one, she gets paid a lot of money – which is not as much as footballers or bankers and less than her peers in the US. Prof. Richardson’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Homophobia, Louise Richardson, Oxford University | Comments Off on On Louise Richardson and the avoidance of homophobic teaching