Athene Donald
@athenedonald.bsky.social
Retired professor of physics and former Master of Churchill College Cambridge. Interested in science policy, skills, education and EDI issues; author of Not Just for the Boys; blogging at https://occamstypewriter.org/athenedonald/
Striking, if slightly threatening light in Cambridge this evening
October 29, 2025 at 4:30 PM
Striking, if slightly threatening light in Cambridge this evening
Great day at Innovate Cambridge Summit. 2 ministers to talk about funding for OxCam Corridor and fascinating presentations and panel discussions
October 23, 2025 at 6:49 PM
Great day at Innovate Cambridge Summit. 2 ministers to talk about funding for OxCam Corridor and fascinating presentations and panel discussions
Tonight saw launch of @bennettschool.cam.ac.uk of Public Policy. Churchill College alum and donor Peter Bennett talked about his vision for it. As @bennettinstitute.cam.ac.uk it’s done great work and I look forward to seeing more exciting research forthcoming in this expanded School
October 6, 2025 at 7:39 PM
Tonight saw launch of @bennettschool.cam.ac.uk of Public Policy. Churchill College alum and donor Peter Bennett talked about his vision for it. As @bennettinstitute.cam.ac.uk it’s done great work and I look forward to seeing more exciting research forthcoming in this expanded School
Excited to be giving keynote talk at WISE conference in London. Amazing views from IET venue
September 30, 2025 at 7:31 AM
Excited to be giving keynote talk at WISE conference in London. Amazing views from IET venue
Pleased to be attending symposium honouring Richard Friend. Amazing to think we first met as undergraduates 54 years ago. Also occasional scientific collaborator.
September 26, 2025 at 8:39 AM
Pleased to be attending symposium honouring Richard Friend. Amazing to think we first met as undergraduates 54 years ago. Also occasional scientific collaborator.
Paperback publication day! Have a good read. Things changing far too slowly for #womeninSTEM
July 24, 2025 at 10:43 AM
Paperback publication day! Have a good read. Things changing far too slowly for #womeninSTEM
I attended the launch of the Civil Society Covenant this week, an uplifting day with many Parliamentarians lending their voice. My reflections occamstypewriter.org/athenedonald...
July 20, 2025 at 3:20 PM
I attended the launch of the Civil Society Covenant this week, an uplifting day with many Parliamentarians lending their voice. My reflections occamstypewriter.org/athenedonald...
Exciting! Just got my hands on the new paperback edition of my book. Publication date July 24th: £8.99 from OUP
July 18, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Exciting! Just got my hands on the new paperback edition of my book. Publication date July 24th: £8.99 from OUP
Interesting morning at launch of Civil Society Covenant, with passionate speeches about its importance from PM and Lisa Nandy
July 17, 2025 at 10:36 AM
Interesting morning at launch of Civil Society Covenant, with passionate speeches about its importance from PM and Lisa Nandy
First panel discussion discussing barriers facing research and technical professionals community
May 21, 2025 at 10:29 AM
First panel discussion discussing barriers facing research and technical professionals community
Sir Jim McDonald kicking off @royalsociety.org ‘s technical talent
May 21, 2025 at 8:46 AM
Sir Jim McDonald kicking off @royalsociety.org ‘s technical talent
Delighted to announce the paperback edition of my book Not Just for the Boys: Why we need more women in science, will be published in July
May 19, 2025 at 8:29 AM
Delighted to announce the paperback edition of my book Not Just for the Boys: Why we need more women in science, will be published in July
Interesting panel discussion about what this new Cavendish building might enable to happen in next 50 years
May 9, 2025 at 3:36 PM
Interesting panel discussion about what this new Cavendish building might enable to happen in next 50 years
Exciting day for opening of new Cavendish Laboratory: Ray Dolby Centre. Wonderful new facilities
May 9, 2025 at 3:17 PM
Exciting day for opening of new Cavendish Laboratory: Ray Dolby Centre. Wonderful new facilities
Delighted to be back at Churchill College for 2025 conference of @bennettinstitute.cam.ac.uk
March 28, 2025 at 9:48 AM
Delighted to be back at Churchill College for 2025 conference of @bennettinstitute.cam.ac.uk
Great evening at Royal Society celebrating first women elected FRS, start of a year celebrating #womeninstem
March 18, 2025 at 10:18 PM
Great evening at Royal Society celebrating first women elected FRS, start of a year celebrating #womeninstem
I’m fortunate in the fantastic evening light and overall view I get to see (when it’s not raining!) from the top of our house
January 3, 2025 at 4:31 PM
I’m fortunate in the fantastic evening light and overall view I get to see (when it’s not raining!) from the top of our house
London may be struggling with road closures and noisy horns due to tractors, but St James’ population seem undisturbed
December 11, 2024 at 1:54 PM
London may be struggling with road closures and noisy horns due to tractors, but St James’ population seem undisturbed
Far from indicating the end of the rain, this rainbow seems to signal it’s just starting again in Cambridge
December 9, 2024 at 11:00 AM
Far from indicating the end of the rain, this rainbow seems to signal it’s just starting again in Cambridge
I remember visiting the old Science Museum store at Wroughton. Always was an amazing place. New store will no doubt be even better
December 1, 2024 at 2:25 PM
I remember visiting the old Science Museum store at Wroughton. Always was an amazing place. New store will no doubt be even better
In Manchester. Looking forward to talking to their Lit and Phil about my book Not Just for the Boys: Why we need more women in science #womeninstem
November 14, 2024 at 5:35 PM
In Manchester. Looking forward to talking to their Lit and Phil about my book Not Just for the Boys: Why we need more women in science #womeninstem
Today at Churchill College we celebrated Founding Fellow Archie Howie's 90th birthday. A man who made great strides in the early days of electron microscopy, was a wonderful head of department and who supported so many individuals, myself included.
March 17, 2024 at 8:10 PM
Today at Churchill College we celebrated Founding Fellow Archie Howie's 90th birthday. A man who made great strides in the early days of electron microscopy, was a wonderful head of department and who supported so many individuals, myself included.
Happy #IWD24 ! What can you do to help #womeninSTEM? My handy annual reminder of actions everyone can take here
occamstypewriter.org/athenedonald/j
occamstypewriter.org/athenedonald/j
March 8, 2024 at 8:24 AM
Happy #IWD24 ! What can you do to help #womeninSTEM? My handy annual reminder of actions everyone can take here
occamstypewriter.org/athenedonald/j
occamstypewriter.org/athenedonald/j
On International Day of Women and Girls in Science, we should think about how many girls are still deterred from pursuing careers in science. My book explains why and why it matters #womeninSTEM
February 11, 2024 at 10:01 AM
On International Day of Women and Girls in Science, we should think about how many girls are still deterred from pursuing careers in science. My book explains why and why it matters #womeninSTEM
It's not too late to order my book Not Just for the Boys: Why we need more women in science, for the (aspiring) scientist or teacher in your life, male, female or non-binary. From OUP or Amazon #WomenInSTEM
December 16, 2023 at 12:29 PM
It's not too late to order my book Not Just for the Boys: Why we need more women in science, for the (aspiring) scientist or teacher in your life, male, female or non-binary. From OUP or Amazon #WomenInSTEM