The Centre for the Study of Existential Risk and British Pugwash are pleased to host a public lecture by Professor Dame Athene Donald.
Athene Donald will reflect on Sir Joseph Rotblat's enduring legacy in the face of increasing nuclear risks and the critical responsibilities of scientists in today's world.
Athene Donald is Professor of Experimental Physics and Master of Churchill College. Athene was awarded a BA and PhD in Physics from the University of Cambridge and spent 4 years as a postdoctoral research associate at Cornell University before returning to Cambridge. She served as a Professor at the Cavendish Laboratory since 1998 and was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1999. Athene specializes in soft matter and biological physics has contributed extensively to gender equality initiatives and holds numerous honorary doctorates. In 2009 she was awarded the L’Oreal/UNESCO For Women in Science Laureate for Europe. She was appointed a Dame Commander of the British Empire for Services to Physics in 2010. Recognized for her ‘indefatigable and pioneering’ efforts, she was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2019 for advancing gender equality in science policy. She has also given evidence to the House of Lords Science and Technology Committee, for its ongoing inquiry into people and skills in UK Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics and the Commons Science and Technology Committee on diversity in STEM.