This is a post that mainly exists because my research has thrown me a curveball and I need to think out loud about what I’m doing. I research the history of the Mullard Space Science Laboratory, a space lab housed in a Victorian mansion in the middle of nowhere. (Yes, really.) Part of my research […]
When it really comes down to it, the wild success of mathematics in describing physical concepts is what makes it matter so much. The mythologies and folk legends that have sprung up around the history of science tell us that it was mathematics that led us out of our ignorant state, that it was quantitative […]
I’ve not usually had to add content warnings to my posts, but in this session we discussed death, dying, suicide and genocide. Not only is that a lot to cover in an hour, it’s also quite heavygoing. Friday 15th marked the last Science and Disability reading group of the decade. To be fair, this isn’t […]
As some of you may know, I have started a Science and Disability reading group. I thought it might be useful, too, to record some of what goes on in a reading group, so that people who couldn’t make it or people who don’t know what to expect can see what goes on. This session, […]
Not so long ago, I came across a comment suggesting that writing for “the general public” (I have issues with this term, but they’ll wait for another time) is a little bit like writing for children. The implication, I think, is that nonspecialists are ignorant, have short attention spans and will not understand or appreciate […]
International Women’s Day is never easy for me. I love celebrating other women, but I see myself as too awkward and abrasive to do anything worth celebrating. This year was especially hard, because it was my first International Women’s Day since I left physics properly and became a science communicator. I’m still in touch with […]
The BBC is creating a “Crossing Divides” season, which is all about having difficult conversations. For the record, I do believe that we need to have difficult conversations with others. Most of the conversations we need to have are difficult. I just don’t believe this particular game is modelling good or sensible behaviour. The game […]
Over the summer, I’ve been working on the fabulous Sound of Astronomy, writing for and editing Popular Astronomy, applying for everything and its mother in my frantic quest to get myself on my feet after graduation…and of course, taking in all of the science news I can! Whether I’m reading, catching up on podcasts or […]
Tonight, the Perseids are peaking. As corny as it is to say this, they’re quite possibly my favourite meteor shower of the year. I associate them with having the free time to actually go outside and stay awake into the small hours, and also with being able to go outside without freezing my skin off […]
It’s out. You can listen to it. And there is even better to come! Episode 1 had just released and there was already more work to do. We had some material left over and the beginnings of a script, but here I was with final exams looming, no immediate interviews coming up and a deadline… […]
