// Latest Posts

Success, but not the top jobs – not yet anyway

The 8th March was International Women’s Day and the celebrations ranged from respect for, and appreciation of women, to a celebration for women’s political, economic and social achievements. The Guardian, as expected, enthusiastically celebrated International Women’s Day; I particularly liked the top 25 African women, but there were many more. National Geographic also celebrated by …

Let them work for their pensions!

The workhouse was first introduced in the early 18th century to replace outdoor relief and to house the destitute, although purpose built workhouses came later. Conditions were harsh, poor, monotonous food, married couples were separated as were children from their parents. In 1896 Charlie Chaplin aged 6, his half brother Sydney, and their mother Hannah …

Safe? No. Safer? Yes

I think Jim Al-khalili’s television series, Science and Islam, was so fascinating and interesting that I had to buy his book, Pathfinders, The Golden Age of Arabic Science. A book to keep, revisit and to be inspired by. Scientists play a vital role in communicating science to the public – as a member of the …

An old sea dog, an artist, a composer …. and babies

In 1740 Hogarth presented his portrait of Captain Thomas Coram to the Foundling Hospital, one of his many art works he gave in his long association with the Hospital. Thomas Coram who went to sea at 11 was a self-made business man, who had been campaigning for London’s foundlings since the 1720s. On his daily …

A dwile by any other name …..

To celebrate David Attenborough’s 60 years as a broadcaster, the BBC has made his films from the 1960s available on iPlayer. The one on Bali is fascinating, but the two about Australia and particular Aboriginal culture and way of life, are a world away from how we portray First People now. The other thing you …

A tale of two debts

A tale of two debts The Royal Institution may have to sell its Grade 1 listed building in Albemarle Street, Mayfair its home since 1799 to pay its mounting debts. The RI underwent a £22m refurbishment completed in 2008, and this has left it with a £7m debt and insufficient income to cover its running …

When icicles hang by the wall

The cloisters’ roof is wearing a snowy lace fringe with delicate icicles as befits a venerable 1797 house, even though the cloisters are 21st century. Like their medieval predecessors they are glazed and while we don’t sit there creating beautiful illuminated manuscripts we can admire electronic copies in the kiosk. The snow fringe remains while …

New Generation Thinkers

What a good idea! But why only AHRC? AHRC and BBC Radio 3 announced New Generation Thinkers in 2010 – a competition to introduce exciting early career academics to national and international audiences – the iPlayer makes the BBC international. In the 2012 competition up to sixty young academics will have a chance to develop …

What an unexciting title for an exciting project

Research and Education Space, ReS, isn’t a must find out what that’s about title, which is a pity because it’s an exciting project with great potential for further and higher education. JISC is match funding the BBC with £2.9m over three years to make digital archives available to students and academics. I am shamelessly going …

Language week – a German standup counts sheep

Sheep jumping over a fence, but sometimes it’s too muddy for them to jump safely – such are the dreams of Henning Wehn, doing standup in English. And then there is the sheep which is passed it – he didn’t sleep for 5 nights after it had to be put down. But then again he …