Women’s tennis can show science why excellence alone isn’t the whole story. Continue reading
Emma Raducanu, Leylah Fernandez, and the importance of narrative
The world of science
The best drivers, the fastest cars
Formula 1 offers a striking example of how meritocracies really function. Continue reading
Academies and academia
What connects the European Championships, PPE and ventilators, the academic career ladder, and scientific illiteracy? Continue reading
A life of service
Prince Philip, husband and consort of Queen Elizabeth II of England, died on 9th April 2021. The obituaries and epitaphs, of which there have been many, have been united in noting and praising his life of service. There is however something curious about a person who was born into royalty and spent the majority of his life living in pampered opulence being celebrated for selflessness. Continue reading
The CRISPR Nobel: back to basics
At last – the least surprising Nobel in recent memory finally got awarded. But despite its inevitability, the prize for CRISPR is still worth celebrating. Continue reading
Truth and beauty
The Australian Open provided another reminder that comparisons between the Big Three go beyond tennis. Continue reading
Gods and Monsters
Nobel prize awards are a time when the worlds of science and celebrity briefly coincide. Should we then use the prizes to promote diversity? Continue reading
Print the legend
Like the American Dream, science is sustained by an ideal rather than the reality. Continue reading
Come together
What do rock festivals and scientific conferences have in common? Continue reading
Where are science’s moralising gods?
The scientific community needs moral standards if it is to continue its growth. Continue reading
Total Internal Reflection 