Latest posts

An 80th annivirusary

Posted on 8 July 2013 by Frank Norman

For most of us, appearances on TV are still unusual enough to generate some excitement.  Even just a slight chance of a televisual encounter can get the pulse racing. Last December I became briefly excited on hearing that the BBC were to do some filming here about the Institute’s influenza research. They wanted to film the Library’s mod Continue reading →

Posted in Books, History | Comments Off on An 80th annivirusary

Open access on the conference circuit

Posted on 6 July 2013 by Stephen

Having devoted a fair number of the words on this blog to open access over the past year and a half, I have found myself invited to an increasing number of meetings on the topic. Whether run by RLUK, the Royal Society or the LSE, these meetings have invariably been interesting, but they often seem to bring together many of the same people, mostly f Continue reading →

Posted in Open Access, RCUK, scientific conferences, translation UK, Wellcome Trust | Comments Off on Open access on the conference circuit

Banknote Battles

Posted on 5 July 2013 by Athene Donald

Last week I declined an invitation to go on Radio 4′s Today programme. I had good reasons for doing this, as I hope I’ll be able to convince you, but I still felt that I was letting the side down by not seizing the opportunity. Given the low proportion of women who are heard on the programme there was a part of me that thought, whatever Continue reading →

Posted in Bank of England, Doctor Who, Equality, Jane Austen, Radio 4 | Comments Off on Banknote Battles

Professor

Posted on 4 July 2013 by Steve Caplan

This 4th of July marks almost 10 years of my life in Omaha, Nebraska, and in addition to celebrating Independence Day, I am also personally celebrating my new title: Professor. Well, sort of. Because it’s not exactly a time for celebration among scientists in the academic community. Researchers are losing their long-term personnel, their labs, and Continue reading →

Posted in duke, earl, education, Professor, Research, science, sergeant, service, Teaching | Comments Off on Professor

2121

Posted on 4 July 2013 by Henry Gee

Susan Greenfield is a scientist who has long been interested in how the brain works, and, in particular, how it interacts with the world in which we find ourselves. Her contention, expressed in numerous articles and works of non-fiction, is that the brain’s workings can be changed, often for the worse, by external influences – in partic Continue reading →

Posted in 2121, dystopia, Science-fiction, sf, Susan Greenfield, Writing & Reading | Comments Off on 2121

Happy Canada Day!

Posted on 1 July 2013 by Cath@VWXYNot?

I hope all my Canadian readers are having an awesome long weekend! (And that everyone else had an awesome normal weekend!) Ours has involved spending time with various friends on patios, roller coasters, log flumes, beaches, ocean swims, picnics in the park, a BBQ later today and – of course – over beer.

Speaking of which, I like this c Continue reading →

Posted in Canada, drunkenness, family, Silliness, sport, travel, UK, videos | Comments Off on Happy Canada Day!

Debating Open Access

Posted on 1 July 2013 by Stephen

Twelve months after the publication of the Finch Report, during which the new RCUK policy on open access has been published, dissected, debated (including by committees in both Houses of Parliament), revised and implemented, it seems an apposite moment to step back and take stock.

Debating Open Access

A collection of essays published today under the title Debating Ope Continue reading →

Posted in British Academy, Open Access, Science & Politics | Comments Off on Debating Open Access

Lab Meeting!

Posted on 1 July 2013 by Steve Caplan

I am not given to holding an excess of lab meetings, but by Ezekiel, this one was needed. And no waiting around for a reasonable time, like 10 a.m. No, no, that wouldn’t do. So I called a lab meeting at 10:30 p. Continue reading →

Posted in canine, dawg, dog, humor, K9, Lab meeting, Labrador Retriever, Research, science | Comments Off on Lab Meeting!

Tripped up by the light fantastic

Posted on 30 June 2013 by Stephen

Yesterday I went to Mars. I stood on the surface and gazed at the dusty red ground, illuminated as far as the pink horizon by sunlight weakened from a journey that is a 100 million kilometres longer than the distance to planet Earth.

Surface of Mars

The surface of Mars as seen by NASA’s Spirit rover

Continue reading →
Posted in Astronomy, Hubble Space Telescope, I, Royal Maritime Museum, visions of the universe | Comments Off on Tripped up by the light fantastic

Personal Tutors or Personal Responsibility

Posted on 30 June 2013 by Athene Donald

At every stage of one’s career one needs to know who to turn to for advice. This need doesn’t stop just because one is senior, but probably feels most overwhelming when first setting out. That crucial stage when newly independent, probably away from home for the first significant time, and facing new challenges in an unfamiliar setting Continue reading →

Posted in advice, career progression, mentors, Science Culture, Universities | Comments Off on Personal Tutors or Personal Responsibility