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Author Archives: Rebecca Nesbit

About Rebecca Nesbit

I am an ecologist, blogger, novelist and science jewellery maker. See more at: http://rebeccanesbit.com/

Bioethics video competition: ideas

There vast array of biological research going on around the world is throwing up some challenging questions for the whole of society to tackle, not just scientists. To explore these issues, the Nuffield Council for Bioethics is running Box Office Bioethics, a video competition for young people. School pupils and undergraduates are invited to submit … Continue reading »

Categories: Biology Week, Education | Tags: | 1 Comment

Should we save the panda?

by Rebecca Nesbit, Press Officer at the Society of Biology This week I added a poll to the Society of Biology website in honour of our upcoming debate during Biology Week: ‘should we save the panda?’. I admit I haven’t yet voted, because I don’t know what to say. If I look at the question … Continue reading »

Categories: Events, Nature, Policy, Royal Society of Biology | 24 Comments

The countdown to Biology Week

Excitement is rising here in Charles Darwin House as we prepare for our first ever Biology Week. Taking place from 13th – 19th October, the week features everything from dolphin science to neuroscience, and we’re keen for as many people as possible to get involved.

Categories: Biology Week, Education, Events, Royal Society of Biology | Tags: , , | Comments Off on The countdown to Biology Week

Flying ant day is back

Submit your flying ant sightings! After the excitement of flying ant day, which happened in the last week of July in most of the UK, there has been a sudden encore and swarms of flying ants were sighted around the UK on 8th August. In some cases at least it appears that the same nests … Continue reading »

Categories: Biology Week, Royal Society of Biology | 9 Comments

Panellists needed for women in science awards

It is well known that senior positions in universities and research institutes are predominantly filled by men, and moves are being made to tackle this. To increase gender equality, Athena SWAN recognises universities which are committed to the advancement and promotion of women in Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths and Medicine (STEMM). The Athena SWAN Charter … Continue reading »

Categories: Careers, Education | Tags: , , , , , | Comments Off on Panellists needed for women in science awards

Podcast from the Standing up for Science media workshop

Rebecca Nesbit, Press Officer at the Society of Biology The Voice of Young Science Standing up for Science media workshops are an opportunity for early-career researchers to discover how to get their voices heard in public debates about science. The last one was here in Charles Darwin House and I went along with my voice … Continue reading »

Categories: Royal Society of Biology | Tags: , , , , | 3 Comments

Flying ant facts

Rebecca Nesbit, Society of Biology Submit your flying ant sightings! We have had an overwhelming response to our flying ant survey and some very interesting questions about flying ants. So I thought I’d bring them all together, along with a couple of videos of ‘my’ flying ant colonies in Hertfordshire. You can also read about … Continue reading »

Categories: Royal Society of Biology | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Is it a bird, is it a plane?

Sometimes it isn’t ants that alert people to flying ant day, but raucous flocks of gulls. Flying ant day occurs once a year, around now, when winged black garden ants emerge in their millions ready to mate. This is quite a spectacle, partly because of the birds it attracts. Thousands of gulls often loudly make … Continue reading »

Categories: Nature, Royal Society of Biology | 9 Comments

How does an ant decide what to do?

We eat when we’re hungry, but social insects have to make decisions which will support the colony not just themselves. They typically divide labour as well as reproductive duties. Even in ant species such as Lasius niger where workers are not split into different physical ‘castes’, some workers stay in the nest while others leave … Continue reading »

Categories: Latest research, Royal Society of Biology | Tags: , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The Biologist

Fellows, Members and Associate Members of the Society of Biology receive a new issue of The Biologist six times a year. For more information about joining the Society of Biology to receive your copy of The Biologist subscription please visit our website. You can also find details of what’s in the current edition, including medicine … Continue reading »

Categories: Royal Society of Biology | 8 Comments