Category Archives: politics

Last Saturday:

Posted on January 28, 2017 by Cath@VWXYNot?

  Photo taken outside the Trump building. I borrowed the sign from a lovely group of people I met at the march Up next: March for Science (the Vancouver chapter) What I learned from protesting against Harper and his war on science: Take … Continue reading →

Posted in activism, Canada, current affairs, feminism, personal, photos, politics, science, the resistance | 2 Comments

Voting didn’t feel like enough this time

Posted on October 18, 2015 by Cath@VWXYNot?

There’s a federal election in Canada tomorrow. I’ve always been very interested in politics, but this time around I feel more invested than ever before. Specifically, I want Harper out, with extreme prejudice. (If you don’t follow Canadian politics and … Continue reading →

Posted in Canada, politics, science | 4 Comments

Science and society – Vancouver Change Camp 2013

Posted on October 23, 2013 by Cath@VWXYNot?

I have a new post up at Occam’s Corner on the Guardian website today, about how non-scientists can (try to) influence the course of scientific research. As I mentioned over there, the ideas in the post originated and evolved from … Continue reading →

Posted in activism, communication, conferences, education, environment, personal, politics, science, Vancouver | 7 Comments

Fight the Future

Posted on March 20, 2013 by Cath@VWXYNot?

Last Saturday was my second time at Vancouver Change Camp and, just like the first time, it was a day full of very thought-provoking sessions about how ordinary people can change their world for the better. The last event took … Continue reading →

Posted in activism, communication, current affairs, education, environment, personal, politics, Vancouver | 3 Comments

Losing your research funds down the back of the Sof(i)a

Posted on November 29, 2012 by Cath@VWXYNot?

About 18 months ago, I posted about some accusations of seriously compromised grant review in Bulgaria that were brought to the international community’s attention via a news article in Nature. Several readers commented that they were disappointed to have missed … Continue reading →

Posted in bad people, politics, science | 4 Comments

Radical reform of peer review and research support, or rearranging the deckchairs on the Titanic?

Posted on March 28, 2012 by Cath@VWXYNot?

OR More on the proposed reforms at the CIHR, which I first blogged about last month after taking my first look at the discussion document they published. I’ve since read the document in much greater detail, and also attended an … Continue reading →

Posted in Canada, career, grant wrangling, politics, science | 6 Comments

On having a heart and using my voice

Posted on March 6, 2012 by Cath@VWXYNot?

I recently updated the photo on my UK drivers license, and had the new card sent to my parents’ address. They received it a few weeks ago and couriered it back to me (along with the original marriage certificate I’d … Continue reading →

Posted in activism, bad people, Canada, current affairs, family, medicine, personal, photos, politics, Vancouver, videos | 8 Comments

CIHR: Canada Innovating to Help Review?

Posted on February 10, 2012 by Cath@VWXYNot?

The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) is this country’s major source of government funding for biomedical research – the equivalent of the US NIH. They’ve just released a document describing some proposed changes to their grant mechanism portfolio and … Continue reading →

Posted in Canada, career, current affairs, grant wrangling, politics, science | 4 Comments

Bucket List and 2012 Resolutions

Posted on December 30, 2011 by Cath@VWXYNot?

Bucket List The plan is to add at least one new item every time I tick one off! Write at least one book (and get it published) Run for political office (and preferably win) Own a boat large enough to … Continue reading →

Posted in apes, Canada, career, Climate change, environment, freelancing, furry friends, kayaking, nature, personal, politics, publishing, snow, sport, travel, UK | 24 Comments

A change would do you good

Posted on December 1, 2011 by Cath@VWXYNot?

My involvement in the municipal election a couple of weeks ago left me with a buzz of positive energy that inspired me to keep the momentum going and get out and do something constructive again as soon as possible. Luckily … Continue reading →

Posted in activism, conferences, games, personal, politics, science, technology, television, Vancouver | 9 Comments