Category Archives: speaking up

Not Letting the Bad Guys Win

Posted on 28 May 2023 by Athene Donald

An editorial in Nature this week highlighted the widespread failure of academic institutions to deal with reports of wrongdoing and its consequences, published alongside an extensive set of articles about the problems associated with poor mental health in research labs … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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Facing up to the Existence of the Jerk

Posted on 13 January 2019 by Athene Donald

As stories of harassment and bullying multiply in the media (social and otherwise), it is worth thinking about what it is in management and leadership that lets situations get out of hand. Too often I hear the phrase that someone … Continue reading →

Posted in academia, bullying, gagging orders, leadership, speaking up | Comments Off on Facing up to the Existence of the Jerk

Permission Given

Posted on 8 February 2016 by Athene Donald

This is a post about professional anxiety and what might be done to alleviate it. Consider who asks questions after departmental seminars or conference talks: too often it is the usual suspects (although my impression is that this is getting … Continue reading →

Posted in committees, Science Culture, seminars, speaking up, Women in science | Comments Off on Permission Given

Conferences and Courage

Posted on 2 May 2012 by Athene Donald

Exactly a year ago I wrote about the annual High Polymer Research Group Conference, held at the edge of the Peak District. Over the years I have watched it transform from an inward-looking cliquey organisation, where I initially sat right … Continue reading →

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Myers-Briggs Tests and the Scientist

Posted on 21 July 2011 by Athene Donald

In business, much more than in academia, personality tests are used at different stages of progression.  Additionally they can be used to identify what sort of career one is suited to. One common version is the Myers-Briggs test, which identifies … Continue reading →

Posted in feeling, inspirational, personality types, Science Culture, speaking up, Women in science | Comments Off on Myers-Briggs Tests and the Scientist