Monthly Archives: April 2012
Biology A-level does not equip students with appropriate mathematical skills
Recent reports and anecdotal evidence have highlighted the worrying trend that students entering university and employment are lacking the maths skills they need to support their progression into jobs in science. Today, SCORE (Science Community Representing Education), a collaboration of leading science organisations including the Society of Biology, launched a report which analyses the type, … Continue reading
On postgraduate education – James Lush
I recently stumbled upon an article from the February 9th, 1952 edition (guess why?) of Nature, in which the Vice Chancellor of the University of Leeds was reported holding forth on ‘Postgraduate Studies in the Universities’. Said VC, Mr C.R. Morris, was reportedly adamant that “young men and women do not… sufficiently realise the importance, … Continue reading
Amazing plant facts from PlantSci
The Society of Biology hosted its first academic conference this week, which was a huge success. I certainly learnt a lot from the talks at PlantSci 2012, and thought I’d share some of my top facts. The conference opened with an inspiring address from Professor John Beddington, the Government’s Chief Scientific Advisor. He spoke of … Continue reading
Reducing animals in research
Along with colleagues at the MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, I recently developed a new method to reduce the number of animals needed by 95%. Our discovery won us a ‘Highly Commended’ award from the National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research (NC3Rs). This annual prize is for the scientific … Continue reading
Fungal Foray with the Kent Surrey and Sussex Branch
In the rest of Europe, foraging for fungi is a regular epicurean activity. The English, however, are reluctant generally to take to the woods for the purpose, but when we do there is so much to find of interest that, to the inquisitive, the search for edible species can seem almost incidental. Our Branch fungal forays are conducted … Continue reading