Author Archives: rpg

About rpg

Scientist, poet, gadfly

Science is Vital meets David Willetts

Posted on 9 October 2011 by rpg

Cross-posted from Science is Vital. Following the publication of our report on science careers in the UK, which drew on nearly 700 responses to a call for evidence, members of the Science is Vital team met with Minister of State … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics, Science | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

So long, Steve, and thanks…

Posted on 6 October 2011 by rpg

Without further comment.

Posted in People | Tagged , | 4 Comments

I predict a riot

Posted on 20 September 2011 by rpg

I’ve just been checking the OT stats and I think the killer post to end all posts would be a massively cooperative film, made by working mothers, about animated dinosaurs. That is all.

Posted in Nonsense | Tagged , , , , , | 14 Comments

On taking notes

Posted on 1 September 2011 by rpg

Cath’s post on whether it’s good manners to take some means of taking notes to a seminar, when you’ve been specifically asked for feedback, reminds me of a seminar I had the dubious pleasure to attend at a certain University … Continue reading →

Posted in wank, War stories | Tagged | 10 Comments

On keeping a good notebook

Posted on 17 August 2011 by rpg

(Lazy cross-post time: also at Naturally Selected) One of the first and most important things a neophyte scientist learns–or at least, is taught–is the importance of keeping a comprehensive and accurate record. We all know it’s a good thing, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Science | Tagged | 6 Comments

Who are you?

Posted on 12 August 2011 by rpg

I asked someone to send me a brief CV in relation to something I was doing for the day job. They took me at my word, and sent this haiku: I sit on my butt Hiding from controversy Dispensing wisdom … Continue reading →

Posted in Friday afternoon, you | Tagged , , , | 43 Comments

London’s burning

Posted on 9 August 2011 by rpg

It’s been a strange couple of days. We’re sitting at our laptops, trying to work but keeping an eye on the Telegraph‘s live feed and another eye on Twitter. There are sirens in the middle distance. Tits and sparrows are … Continue reading →

Posted in London | Tagged , | 9 Comments

For we all, like sheep

Posted on 5 August 2011 by rpg

Here the UK we have an “e-petition” website, where you can get get a bunch of like-minded people to sign up to your latest crazy idea and if you can find another 99,999 crazies then the Government has said it … Continue reading →

Posted in Rants, wibbling, you | Tagged , | 10 Comments

A momentary lapse of reason

Posted on 4 August 2011 by rpg

A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away… Before Experimental Heart was published, a discussion at the LabLit fora centered on whether it was possible to write an exciting story that remained true to real lab life. I … Continue reading →

Posted in A momentary lapse of reason | Tagged | 5 Comments

On tits and sparrows

Posted on 25 July 2011 by rpg

Opposite the advertisement for the Grant Arms Hotel, Grantown-on-Spey (“The Wildlife Hotel”) in Autumn 2011’s Birds magazine from the RSPB, Caroline Nash tells us she’s helping to save sparrows. As you might know, sparrows—which for some of us are the … Continue reading →

Posted in Personal, Photography | Tagged , , , | 29 Comments