Latest posts

In which I multitask

Posted on 30 January 2014 by Jennifer Rohn

Less than two weeks remain until my big fellowship application is due – the one I’m banking on to rescue me from the dwindling life of my latest short-term contract. If I get the fellowship, my position should finally be secure. If not, I’ll need to scrabble together another fellowship or short-term contract, or try to find a diff Continue reading →

Posted in careers, Domestic bliss, staring into the abyss, The profession of science, Women in science | Comments Off on In which I multitask

Winston Churchill and Science

Posted on 29 January 2014 by Athene Donald

Yet another anniversary for Winston Churchill has just past, with the 49th anniversary of his death falling on January 24th. I am, inevitably, more conscious of this than I would have been in times past, but it is interesting to note that my childish diary for 1965 notes, in appalling handwriting, both his death and what I refer to as his ‘Me Continue reading →

Posted in bomb, Frederick Lindemann, HG Wells, History of Science, John Cockcroft | Comments Off on Winston Churchill and Science

Quora: productive procrastination

Posted on 26 January 2014 by Cath@VWXYNot?

I’ve recently started to spend some time on the question and answer site Quora, and I’m finding it be quite an effective science communication medium as well as excellent writing practice.

I can’t quite remember how I first came to join the site, a couple of years ago; I have a vague memory of all Twitter users being given automat Continue reading →

Posted in cancer research, career, communication, evolution, fun with language, grant wrangling, science, television, the media | Comments Off on Quora: productive procrastination

Shulamit Aloni (1928-2014): The Death of a Giant

Posted on 26 January 2014 by Steve Caplan

With great sadness I submit this short post on the recent death of one of my heroes: Shulamit Aloni. As an Israeli politician and winner of the Israel Prize for her life’s work, she is perhaps best known as a fighter for human rights, civil rights, women’s rights, the rights of minorities, the promotion of pluralism and anti-religious c Continue reading →

Posted in democracy, education, feminism, Israel, Meretz, peace, religious coercion, Research, science, Shulamit Aloni | Comments Off on Shulamit Aloni (1928-2014): The Death of a Giant

Critical Mass–a massive mystery and modicum of Lab Lit

Posted on 23 January 2014 by Steve Caplan

Now that I have published “A Degree of Betrayal” and am officially a writer of a mystery novel–even if it is not purely a genre novel–I am actively devouring all types of mystery novels. So please, I welcome suggestions!

I began to read adult books at an early age; too early perhaps, because my family finds that I have serio Continue reading →

Posted in atomic bomb, Chicago, Critical Mass, Fermi, Heisenberg, Holocaust, novel, nuclear fission, reading, Research, Sara Paretsky, science, World War II | Comments Off on Critical Mass–a massive mystery and modicum of Lab Lit

Reflections On This Weekend’s Events

Posted on 23 January 2014 by Henry Gee

This Sunday last, I ‘outed’ a pseudonymous blogger known as Dr Isis. Given the consequences of that action, I should like to say a few things about the business that I hope will clarify matters.

First, I want to apologise to Dr Isis for naming her; for belittling her in a subsequent tweet; and if this exposure has put her in a vulnerabl Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Reflections On This Weekend’s Events

The Cost of Speaking Out

Posted on 23 January 2014 by Athene Donald

The press (at least in the UK) has been full of the ‘Lord Rennard’ story this week. A man, hugely influential in building up the success of the LibDems but against whom four women (party activists) have spoken out, saying he had harassed them. This is not the place to dwell on the rights and wrongs of this, but it seems appropriate to c Continue reading →

Posted in disclosure, Equality, harassment, Lord Rennard, Women in science | Comments Off on The Cost of Speaking Out

Impressions of Turner

Posted on 22 January 2014 by Stephen

I may not know much about art but I know what I like and I like the work of Joseph Mallord William Turner — all the more so now that I have seen the Turner and the Sea exhibition at the National Maritime Museum. The artist painted a variety of landscapes over the course of a long life but is probably best known for his seascapes (though I can’t be Continue reading →

Posted in art, Science & Art, the sea, turner | Comments Off on Impressions of Turner

In which I yearn for retro lab chic

Posted on 21 January 2014 by Jennifer Rohn

They don’t make ‘em like they used to. Or at least, they don’t name ‘em.

Harry and I recently stumbled across this beauty when we were clearing out some of the side rooms in our new lab space. Continue reading →

Posted in Nostalgia, Silliness | Comments Off on In which I yearn for retro lab chic

Caption competition

Posted on 21 January 2014 by rpg

IMG_7282

Go on. You know you want to.

Posted in caption competition, lazy blogging, Nonsense, personal | Comments Off on Caption competition