Category Archives: letters of reference

How might the Athena Swan Process Emerge?

Posted on 13 May 2018 by Athene Donald

When groups of (comparative) strangers sit around a table, it is impossible to predict what will emerge in the way of new ideas. Readers of this blog will not be surprised to know that I think diversity – of background, … Continue reading →

Posted in AdvanceHE, Athena Forum, diversity, Equality, letters of reference, Women in science | Comments Off on How might the Athena Swan Process Emerge?

Marital High Jinks and Academia

Posted on 11 September 2017 by Athene Donald

I am quite sure I have never previously had occasion to write the name Wayne Rooney in any situation, but he does seem relevant to the topic of gendered sentences. Hadley Freeman wrote a withering piece last week about how … Continue reading →

Posted in Equality, feisty, Hadley Freeman, letters of reference, Science Culture, Wayne Rooney | Comments Off on Marital High Jinks and Academia

References from the Past

Posted on 27 August 2017 by Athene Donald

It is a standard part of our job and our responsibilities to write letters of reference for students and postdocs, past and present. But I sometimes get very frustrated by those who ask me to write a letter of support … Continue reading →

Posted in CV, letters of reference, Science Culture, students | Comments Off on References from the Past

Do You Want to be Described as Hard Working?

Posted on 1 December 2016 by Athene Donald

I visited Oxford this week to talk to the Women in Physics group, mainly made up of students and postdocs (not all of whom were women). Tea and excellent scones were provided to stimulate good discussion. I was duly grilled … Continue reading →

Posted in job-hunting, letters of reference, Madera, Women in science | Comments Off on Do You Want to be Described as Hard Working?

Words and Images

Posted on 20 March 2015 by Athene Donald

As my last post said, I have been sitting on a lot of committees recently and consequently reading a lot of references. I am pleased to observe that it has been the men round the table who have been complaining … Continue reading →

Posted in Alice Lee, Equality, GillianGehring, Hertha Ayrton, letters of reference, Women in science | Comments Off on Words and Images