Category Archives: confidence

Has the World Changed (Enough)?

Posted on 27 November 2022 by Athene Donald

“The reported incidents of racism and misogyny are extremely alarming” according to Gareth Cook, fire brigade’s union regional organiser for London about the recent report into the London Fire Brigade. “Women have been “systematically failed” by the criminal justice system”, … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in confidence, harassment, Lindemann Trust, MIT, Women in science | Comments Off on Has the World Changed (Enough)?

Do You Cope with Office Politics or Leverage them?

Posted on 28 February 2021 by Athene Donald

In academia, appraisals (call them what you will) get different degrees of serious attention. Equally, people pay more or less heed to them, depending on personal circumstances and whether anything useful is said. However, a recent study shows that, as … Continue reading →

Posted in careers, confidence, Equality, feedback, implicit bias, Impostor syndrome, Science Culture, Stereotypes | Comments Off on Do You Cope with Office Politics or Leverage them?

No More ‘Male by Default’ Please

Posted on 8 March 2017 by Athene Donald

Another year, another International Women’s Day. This year the strapline is ‘be bold for change’. A good motto but many will feel that boldness is dangerous in the face of opposition or incomprehension. Incomprehension is perhaps commoner than one thinks: … Continue reading →

Posted in confidence, Equality, International Women's Day, leadership, promotion, Women in science | Comments Off on No More ‘Male by Default’ Please

Courage, Inadequacy and Taking the Plunge

Posted on 22 November 2013 by Athene Donald

It’s almost two years since I wrote about the dangers of looking at people you respect through rose-tinted glasses. That post was prompted by a relatively junior scientist losing their nerve after they had directly challenged something I’d said and … Continue reading →

Posted in confidence, Impostor syndrome, Mrs Moneypenny, Science Culture, Women in science | Comments Off on Courage, Inadequacy and Taking the Plunge

Cold-calling in the Job Market

Posted on 13 October 2013 by Athene Donald

A week ago there was a minute cause for celebration with the news that the number of women on FTSE100 Boards of Directors had reached the stunning level of 19%. At least that figure is heading in the right direction … Continue reading →

Posted in careers, confidence, Equality, gender pay gap, head hunters | Comments Off on Cold-calling in the Job Market

Is it Ever Safe to Shed the L-plates?

Posted on 16 September 2012 by Athene Donald

I well remember that moment of transition when moving from undergraduate to postgraduate; that moment when my tutor asked me to call them by their first name (perhaps a rite of passage no longer so exciting, since first names are … Continue reading →

Posted in confidence, fear, life skills, Science Culture | Comments Off on Is it Ever Safe to Shed the L-plates?

Taking Flight (Pseudonymous or Not)

Posted on 18 March 2011 by Athene Donald

I have finally caught up with the debate at ScienceOnline2011 on ‘The Perils of Blogging as a Woman under a Real Name’ through watching the video of the session, recently put online. This was the debate that kick-started a lot … Continue reading →

Posted in Blogging, Communicating Science, confidence, holding-back, Kate Clancy, Science Online 2011, Sunetra Gupta, Women in science | Comments Off on Taking Flight (Pseudonymous or Not)