Our blogs
- Adventures in Wonderland by Richard Wintle
- Athene Donald's Blog by Athene Donald
- Blogging by Candlelight by Erika Cule
- Confessions by Richard P Grant
- Deep Thoughts and Silliness by Bob O'Hara
- Mind the Gap by Jenny Rohn
- Nicola Spaldin's Blog by Nicola Spaldin
- No Comment by Steve Caplan
- Not ranting – honestly by Austin Elliott
- Reciprocal Space by Stephen Curry
- The End of the Pier Show by Henry Gee
- Trading Knowledge by Frank Norman
- The Occam's Typewriter Irregulars by Guest Bloggers
OT Cloud
- academia
- Apparitions
- book review
- Books
- Canada
- career
- careers
- Communicating Science
- communication
- Cromer
- Domestic bliss
- Domesticrox
- education
- Equality
- Gardening
- Guest posts
- History
- Hobbies
- humor
- Lablit
- Music
- nature
- Open Access
- personal
- Photography
- photos
- Politicrox
- Politics
- Research
- science
- Science & Politics
- Science-fiction
- Science Culture
- Science Funding
- Science Is Vital
- Scientific Life
- Silliness
- students
- technology
- The profession of science
- travel
- Uncategorized
- Women in science
- Writing
- Writing & Reading
Category Archives: ERC
Let’s Hope We Can All Stick to Science
There was a collective sigh of relief when it was announced that the UK would commit to Association for Horizon Europe. We knew the details had to be worked out, but we assumed the commitment was as good as a … Continue reading Continue reading
Posted in ERC, Horizon Europe, Science Funding, Switzerland
Comments Off on Let’s Hope We Can All Stick to Science
Do you know Excellence when you see it?
Politicians toss around phrases like ‘levelling up’ and ‘build back better’, not to mention ‘freedom of speech’, with gay abandon. Such words sound so positive and authoritative, what could be the problem? As many people have pointed out, however, there … Continue reading
Posted in bias, careers, ERC, grant-giving panels, Matthew effect, REF, Research, Science Funding
Comments Off on Do you know Excellence when you see it?
Sex, Gender, Research and Fairness
It is a daily matter to look around a typical laboratory and note the imbalance of the sexes in different roles. In a lab using animals, there may be a fair number of female technicians, but the PI is more … Continue reading
Posted in cell-lines, ERC, Gendered Innovations, Londa Schiebinger, machine learning, Research, Science Funding, statistics, Women in science
Comments Off on Sex, Gender, Research and Fairness
Is Losing a President Careless?
So what really is going on in Brussels regarding the ERC? I have had no direct contact with them in recent months, nor ever met Professor Ferrari, the short-lived and outgoing (outgone?) President. I cannot spill any beans because I … Continue reading
Posted in ERC, Mauro Ferrari, Research, Science Funding, Scientific Council
Comments Off on Is Losing a President Careless?
It’s Not My Brexit Either
I am trying to decide whether to remove the Twitter ‘Scientists for the EU’ twibbon from my profile. I still am a scientist and I’m still pro EU, but there’s no longer quite the same message to be conveyed. Fellow … Continue reading
Posted in ARPA, Brexit, ERC, EU, Science Funding
Comments Off on It’s Not My Brexit Either
Friends with Benefits
A recent study shows – in Switzerland at least – that nominated referees judge grants more favourably than those unconnected with the applicant. I’m afraid I didn’t find the conclusion of the study a surprise. Additionally I suspect that having … Continue reading
Posted in ERC, grants, Matthew effect, panels, referees, Science Culture, Science Funding
Comments Off on Friends with Benefits
A Bad Week to be in Brussels
Historians of the future will no doubt make much of the UK’s political ramifications of the moment. This week has seen a particularly strange spectacle as the Tory party tears itself apart and the Labour party seems unable to sort … Continue reading
Posted in Brexit, ERC, ERC Scientific Council, Science Funding
Comments Off on A Bad Week to be in Brussels
Sold for a Mess of Potage
A couple of weeks back I undertook another trip to Europe. A trip that got extended by nearly a day due to snow which disrupted my travel plans, thereby making it impossible for me to get back to the UK … Continue reading
Posted in EMBL, ERC, Frankfurt, Janet Thornton, Research, Science Culture, Science Funding
Comments Off on Sold for a Mess of Potage
European Reflections from Padua
The ERC (European Research Council) last month celebrated its 10th Anniversary. Judging by the speeches and conversations on the day, ranging from Commissioner Moedas and President Juncker to the ERC’s many grantees, it seems to be widely considered as rapidly … Continue reading
Posted in Brexit, Elena Piscopia, ERC, Science Culture, Science Funding, William Harvey
Comments Off on European Reflections from Padua
Evasive Tactics?
If my last post discussed an important point that doesn’t typically receive much notice – although I’m glad to say the post, and its accompanying repost on the THE website both did – this current one is meant simply as … Continue reading
Posted in Brussles, ERC, Science Culture
Comments Off on Evasive Tactics?
