Author Archives: Sylvia McLain

About Sylvia McLain

Girl, Interrupting aka Dr. Sylvia McLain used to be an academic, but now is trying to figure out what's next. She is also a proto-science writer, armchair philosopher, amateur plumber and wanna-be film-critic. You can follow her on Twitter @DrSylviaMcLain and Instagram @sylviaellenmclain

Come on America, let’s talk about Fear.

Posted on December 16, 2012 by Sylvia McLain

I don’t own a gun. I don’t own a gun not because I am *against* guns per se, but guns scare me. Research has indicated that if you carry a gun for protection you are more likely to be shot. … Continue reading →

Posted in Sandy Hook Elementary | Tagged , , | 10 Comments

On self-promotion, funding and energy ant!

Posted on November 19, 2012 by Sylvia McLain

In any UK-funded science grant application you have to write a bit about yourself and how great you are. Most people I know find this bit really hard; a few really don’t – I know some people who seem to … Continue reading →

Posted in science funding, US government | Tagged , | 4 Comments

Remembering veterans in my family

Posted on November 11, 2012 by Sylvia McLain

Today is the day we remember those who died in wars. Wars for our freedoms, pointless wars, wars against tyranny, wars of invasion. There is no way around the fact that wars are awful, but regardless if you feel a … Continue reading →

Posted in remembrance day | Tagged | 2 Comments

AC Grayling’s college: Cult of personality or value for money?

Posted on September 24, 2012 by Sylvia McLain

This same article is posted at Guardian Higher Education – here– apologies for the dual post, it’s my fault – I got my wires crossed with The Guardian! So I am taking it off this post – as I think … Continue reading →

Posted in AC Grayling, New College of Humanities | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Most people don’t worry this much…

Posted on September 15, 2012 by Sylvia McLain

is what one of my collaborators told me this week. She was talking about my science, not about my over-arching propensity to worry about everything (although I have that too). I am running a series of experiments, mostly focused on … Continue reading →

Posted in Academic dishonesty, Philosophy of Science, scientific publishing | Tagged , | 4 Comments

Sometimes things are just OK

Posted on July 25, 2012 by Sylvia McLain

Last weekend I was part of an Occam’s outpost (with Jenny Rohn and Stephen Curry) who spoke at the Winchester Science Festival – well done to James Thomas (@jimbobthomas) for organizing it and thank you for inviting me. It was … Continue reading →

Posted in women in science | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Enough with the criticism already

Posted on July 4, 2012 by Sylvia McLain

Ever wonder why scientists are odd? For the record, I don’t think scientists are really odd, any more than any group of people can be called ‘odd’, as Micheal Crichton said ‘in my experience scientists are very human people.’ Leaving … Continue reading →

Posted in science communication, science writing | Tagged , | 11 Comments

Science it’s a *&%$ thing.

Posted on June 22, 2012 by Sylvia McLain

I really like film Legally Blonde. If you haven’t seen it, it’s about an sorority queen (think masses of pink) who chases her boyfriend to Harvard Law school. The movie starts off with a stereotypical girly girl, Elle, (very stereotypical … Continue reading →

Posted in women in science | Tagged , | 15 Comments

Why we need Neutrons for science

Posted on June 16, 2012 by Sylvia McLain

So you may not know it, but one of the world’s premier scientific research facilities is in Oxfordshire. Its not the University of Oxford I am referring to, but the ISIS neutron and muon source at Rutherford Appleton Lab outside … Continue reading →

Posted in ISIS neutron and Muon Souce, science funding, STFC | Tagged , , , | 5 Comments

Is it hip to be square?

Posted on May 26, 2012 by Sylvia McLain

One of my all-time favourite novels is Geek Love by Katherine Dunn. It’s not what you think. Its about Circus Freaks. Circus Freaks were the original ‘Geeks’. I am not sure when the word transformed into a derogatory term for … Continue reading →

Posted in Geek, Geek love | Tagged , | 8 Comments