Category Archives: Royal Society

Shortlisted

Posted on 27 September 2022 by Henry Gee

I am ecstatic to announce that my latest tome, A (Very) Short History of Life on Earth, has been shortlisted for the 2022 Royal Society Insight Investment Science Book Prize. A popular-science equivalent of the Booker Prize, the Royal Society … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in age proof, anjana ahuja, Apparitions, different, frans de waal, hot air, Isaac Asimov, Jeremy farrar, nick davidson, Peter Stott, rose Anne Kenny, Royal Society, royal society insight investment science book prize, Science Is Vital, spike, the early Asimov, the greywacke, Writing & Reading | Comments Off on Shortlisted

A Holistic CV

Posted on 16 February 2020 by Athene Donald

Just recently at a dinner for heads of the Cambridge colleges the issue of the toxic culture some research students find themselves in was raised. We all know the issues exist and, in this context, the question was what could … Continue reading →

Posted in DORA, mentoring, Research, Royal Society, Science Culture, toxic cultures | Comments Off on A Holistic CV

Where is the HE Sector Going?

Posted on 16 June 2019 by Athene Donald

There is a lot going on in the HE policy world, from the Augar Review of post-18 education and funding, to the publication of the UKRI (and its constituent parts) Delivery Plans. Yet all this is set in the context … Continue reading →

Posted in CDTs, education, John Kingman, Research, Royal Society, Science Funding, strategy, UKRI, Venki Ramakrishnan | Comments Off on Where is the HE Sector Going?

Judging on Potential (or Not)

Posted on 22 July 2018 by Athene Donald

I was trying to lay my hands on a quote I heard recently on the radio about creativity by Wolfgang von Goethe to kickstart this blogpost, and instead (amongst 100’s of others of his quotes) I came upon this: ‘Girls … Continue reading →

Posted in Equality, Goethe, promotion, referees, Royal Society, Women in science | Comments Off on Judging on Potential (or Not)

Depersonalising the REF

Posted on 17 March 2017 by Athene Donald

Successive rounds of the RAE and its successor REF have always caused high levels of stress and anxiety. The associated workload is very substantial for institutions (and many individuals); the stakes are high in terms of both reputation and funding. … Continue reading →

Posted in HEFCE, Research, Royal Society, Science Culture, Science Funding, Stern Review | Comments Off on Depersonalising the REF

Expectations

Posted on 25 September 2016 by Athene Donald

Nature this week published its annual (and international) survey on salaries. As the article points out, many respondents use the survey as a means of venting, so the survey also provides a snapshot of (self-selecting and therefore not necessarily representative) … Continue reading →

Posted in advice, careers, early career researchers, Royal Society, Science Culture | Comments Off on Expectations

Dare to Dream: Parent Carer Scientist

Posted on 10 March 2016 by Athene Donald

This post first appeared here on the Huffington Post on 9th March 2016. ‘Science Needs Women’ says L’Oreal’s tagline succinctly for its For Women in Science Campaign. Science needs women to ensure the best science is done by the most … Continue reading →

Posted in careers, Equality, parents, Royal Society, Women in science | Comments Off on Dare to Dream: Parent Carer Scientist

National Academies and the Gender Mix Around the World

Posted on 1 March 2016 by Athene Donald

National academies of science serve a variety of purposes including recognizing the country’s eminent scientists and providing an impartial (usually) voice to government and other policy makers. If this voice is to be truly representative it needs to be inclusive. … Continue reading →

Posted in Equality, Interacademies Partnership, national academies, Rosalind Franklin, Royal Society, Women in science | Comments Off on National Academies and the Gender Mix Around the World

What Next after Tim Hunt? (#just1action4WIS)

Posted on 15 June 2015 by Athene Donald

Last week the world erupted into a storm of outrage over remarks Sir Tim Hunt, Nobel Prize winner, made in Korea. Unacceptable, indefensible remarks. He has been made to resign from positions and committees for which he has worked so … Continue reading →

Posted in discrimination, Equality, personal responsibility, Royal Society, Science Culture, Women in science | Comments Off on What Next after Tim Hunt? (#just1action4WIS)

Cry, cry, cry (for backwards Nobel Laureates)

Posted on 9 June 2015 by Sylvia McLain

So this happened – at The World Conference of Science Journalism, at a lunch sponsored by Korean female scientists and engineers – just yesterday. So as a human being, I am not sure I particularly care what Professor Tim Hunt, … Continue reading →

Posted in Royal Society, Tim Hunt, WCSJ, Women in science | Comments Off on Cry, cry, cry (for backwards Nobel Laureates)