Monthly Archives: March 2014
How the health service is failing Deaf people
By Jon Kudlick, director of membership, marketing and communications at the Society of Biology and trustee of SignHealth Imagine you are in hospital about to have an operation. For most of us, that’s a stressful enough situation in itself. Now imagine that because all the GPs, consultants and nurses do not speak your language, you … Continue reading
A taste of the future in Cardiff
David Urry, regional coordinator at the Society of Biology, discusses his latest event in Cardiff, looking at food sustainability by exploring a ‘Menu of the Future’. Apply to the Regional Grant Scheme if you would like funding to run your own biology event in your local area, or contact your local branch committee to see … Continue reading
A precautionary tale
Ahead of the Society of Biology’s next Policy Lates event on the precautionary principle, Tracey Brown of Sense About Science gives her view on some of the issues surrounding the principle and its application. What would you say if I suggested farmers start using a compound that could mess with your hormones in order to … Continue reading
Wake up to Make up!
Guest blogger Chloe Warren investigates the fascinating history and evolution of make up, leading to the popularity of cosmetics in modern society. Applying make up can be part of a daily routine for many of us. What you may not be aware of is the history and science behind staples like eyeliner, mascara and lipstick.
Abandon all hope, ye who enter here
Michael Walsh, policy intern at the Society of Biology, gives a student’s perspective on the largest piece of text that a researcher will write The British Library curates the Electronic Thesis Online Service (EThOS), which is an open access database for UK theses. They are currently running a survey to see how you use theses; … Continue reading
Forgotten faces of science
By Natasha Neill, executive officer at the Society of Biology Our new project “Biology: Changing the World” has had a busy start and the past few weeks have seen great engagement from the public and our member organisations. The project really seems to have hit upon a popular theme and I’ve been amazed at the … Continue reading
The endless quest for knowledge!
Mark Leach, the Society of Biology’s membership marketing manager, writes on interesting facts. As part of our planning for this year’s Biology Week, one of our (not infrequent) office conversations recently focussed on interesting science facts and quiz questions. Did you know, for example, that giant lime green stick insects (Diapherodes gigantea), such as Alfreda … Continue reading
How do we value our natural capital?
Daija Angeli, project officer for the Society of Biology’s special interest group the Natural Capital Initiative, attended a meeting of the Parliamentary and Scientific Committee on the valuation of natural capital on 25th February 2014. Here is what she learned: How do we value our nature? The concept of natural capital is often used to … Continue reading
The academic gender gap isn’t going away
Ahead of International Women’s Day, Jess Devonport, marketing and communications officer, and Barbara Knowles, senior science policy advisor at the Society of Biology, discuss the recent report, Women in Scientific Careers. There has been continued conversation over recent years about the gender gap in STEM careers, particularly in academia and senior roles, and if the … Continue reading
Science Communication Award 2014 – why apply?
Liz Granger is a previous winner of the Science Communication Award and has just finished a PhD in cell biology. Here she tells us about her experiences after winning the award and why others should apply. During my PhD I got involved with lots of different public engagement projects and school outreach activities. Back in 2012 … Continue reading