This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.guardian.co.uk/higher-education-network/blog/2013/jul/10/feminist-scientist-three-generations-three-views

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
What it means to be a scientist and feminist: three generations, three views What it means to be a scientist and feminist: three generations, three views
(2 months later)
Georgina Rippon, 63, professor of cognitive neuroimaging at Aston University Georgina Rippon, 63, professor of cognitive neuroimaging at Aston University
Being a scientist and a feminist is a win-win situation. Science gives you the weapons to do battle in feminist causes, while feminism gives you the awareness to spot the potential for misuse of these very weapons.Being a scientist and a feminist is a win-win situation. Science gives you the weapons to do battle in feminist causes, while feminism gives you the awareness to spot the potential for misuse of these very weapons.
As a scientist, you will be able to give a well-informed snort when the ill-informed media misinterpret, misrepresent or just downright mangle the latest scientific "proof" that sex differences are real, fixed and unchangeable. Trained in the scientific method, you can spot bad science and pseudoscience and, for example, debunk the assertions of the pedlars of neurononsense who hijack and distort brain-imaging research to support gender stereotypes.As a scientist, you will be able to give a well-informed snort when the ill-informed media misinterpret, misrepresent or just downright mangle the latest scientific "proof" that sex differences are real, fixed and unchangeable. Trained in the scientific method, you can spot bad science and pseudoscience and, for example, debunk the assertions of the pedlars of neurononsense who hijack and distort brain-imaging research to support gender stereotypes.
Feminism will give you the awareness that research can be biased (consciously or unconsciously) or based on existing orthodoxies that are themselves founded on unchallenged negative stereotypes. Research into the links between hormones and behaviour in women employs scales such as the Menstrual Distress Questionnaire. Has anyone come across an Ovulation Euphoria Questionnaire? Science does not always occur in a political vacuum; scientists should be sensitive to this and be aware of the "persistent low drum beat" of the biology-is-destiny movement.Feminism will give you the awareness that research can be biased (consciously or unconsciously) or based on existing orthodoxies that are themselves founded on unchallenged negative stereotypes. Research into the links between hormones and behaviour in women employs scales such as the Menstrual Distress Questionnaire. Has anyone come across an Ovulation Euphoria Questionnaire? Science does not always occur in a political vacuum; scientists should be sensitive to this and be aware of the "persistent low drum beat" of the biology-is-destiny movement.
As a scientist, you can see your skills being used to address real world issues, issues central to feminism's goals. Recent brain-imaging research on stereotype threat has indicated that female underperformance in certain tasks is not a biological cause with social consequences, but is related to social attitudes and expectations which can change how the brain works – so, a social cause with biological consequences. Working together, feminism and science has moved us on from the rather unproductive biology versus society dichotomies that characterised biological politics in the 1990s.As a scientist, you can see your skills being used to address real world issues, issues central to feminism's goals. Recent brain-imaging research on stereotype threat has indicated that female underperformance in certain tasks is not a biological cause with social consequences, but is related to social attitudes and expectations which can change how the brain works – so, a social cause with biological consequences. Working together, feminism and science has moved us on from the rather unproductive biology versus society dichotomies that characterised biological politics in the 1990s.
Feminism can transform methodologies, challenge the lack of objectivity and improve scientific practice in the biological and life sciences, as well as the social and human sciences. Working together, science and feminism can help to plug the leaky pipeline in science; to address gender issues of representation and practice; to support initiatives such as WISE, Skirting Science, ScienceGrrl. Science can be good for feminism and feminism can be good for science.Feminism can transform methodologies, challenge the lack of objectivity and improve scientific practice in the biological and life sciences, as well as the social and human sciences. Working together, science and feminism can help to plug the leaky pipeline in science; to address gender issues of representation and practice; to support initiatives such as WISE, Skirting Science, ScienceGrrl. Science can be good for feminism and feminism can be good for science.
Samuel Furse, 31, postdoctoral chemical biologist at the University of Utrecht, NetherlandsSamuel Furse, 31, postdoctoral chemical biologist at the University of Utrecht, Netherlands
The words "feminist male scientist" do not sit very well together. Some people tell me that I cannot be a feminist because I am a man. Others, who are spoiling for a different sort of fight, say that a political stance and an objective one are incompatible.The words "feminist male scientist" do not sit very well together. Some people tell me that I cannot be a feminist because I am a man. Others, who are spoiling for a different sort of fight, say that a political stance and an objective one are incompatible.
What both of these responses lack is an analysis of the description. The words feminist and male are both adjectives; scientist is a noun. Science is therefore at the heart of it for someone who has adopted this position.What both of these responses lack is an analysis of the description. The words feminist and male are both adjectives; scientist is a noun. Science is therefore at the heart of it for someone who has adopted this position.
All reputable scientists want to do good science. It's still the best way to get on in the industry, and it's a great pleasure to find out and make sense of something new. However, in order to do this to a publishable standard, it is necessary that several scientists work together. This will probably happen at each stage: developing the hypotheses, collecting the required data and analysing it, writing it all up and submitting for publication.All reputable scientists want to do good science. It's still the best way to get on in the industry, and it's a great pleasure to find out and make sense of something new. However, in order to do this to a publishable standard, it is necessary that several scientists work together. This will probably happen at each stage: developing the hypotheses, collecting the required data and analysing it, writing it all up and submitting for publication.
It's been a long time since any one person could do all of this alone. Well-polished science needs several brains, with slightly different perspectives, to be thorough and successful. One might argue that gender is one of several scales that could be exploited in pursuit of this ideal, with age, class and race being other examples. I'm not sure there's enough evidence about any of them to conclude that they make an important difference to the science that results from collaborations put together on that basis.It's been a long time since any one person could do all of this alone. Well-polished science needs several brains, with slightly different perspectives, to be thorough and successful. One might argue that gender is one of several scales that could be exploited in pursuit of this ideal, with age, class and race being other examples. I'm not sure there's enough evidence about any of them to conclude that they make an important difference to the science that results from collaborations put together on that basis.
But there's a lot of good evidence that male and female brains think differently, that they arrive at similar conclusions and form ideas by different routes. It is inevitable that this has an impact on the science produced, and this is why I am a feminist male scientist: science benefits from both male and female input. It helps, of course, if all those involved are intelligent and experienced, but the combination of perspectives that exists in a science collaboration, comprising both men and women, really does improve the end result like no other.But there's a lot of good evidence that male and female brains think differently, that they arrive at similar conclusions and form ideas by different routes. It is inevitable that this has an impact on the science produced, and this is why I am a feminist male scientist: science benefits from both male and female input. It helps, of course, if all those involved are intelligent and experienced, but the combination of perspectives that exists in a science collaboration, comprising both men and women, really does improve the end result like no other.
Sarah Morgan, 22, postgraduate physics student at the University of Cambridge Sarah Morgan, 22, postgraduate physics student at the University of Cambridge
Name a famous scientist. Einstein, Newton, Darwin … the chances are that you immediately thought of a man. And you're not alone. According to a 2010 Royal Society survey, 88% of 18-24 year olds and two-thirds of the British public cannot name a single famous woman scientist. Historically, women have had fewer opportunities to study science, and those who have succeeded have received less recognition than their male counterparts. Thankfully, in recent years the number of women studying science has risen. However, there is still a long way to go.Name a famous scientist. Einstein, Newton, Darwin … the chances are that you immediately thought of a man. And you're not alone. According to a 2010 Royal Society survey, 88% of 18-24 year olds and two-thirds of the British public cannot name a single famous woman scientist. Historically, women have had fewer opportunities to study science, and those who have succeeded have received less recognition than their male counterparts. Thankfully, in recent years the number of women studying science has risen. However, there is still a long way to go.
Increased numbers of women in science can only be a good thing. Not simply because it is grossly unjust for women to be unable to experience the challenging but also hugely intellectually rewarding experience of participating in scientific research, but also because the cost to society of excluding women is intolerably high. We need the very best minds going into science, and it stands to reason that if women are excluded, we cut this resource in half. What's more, women bring new ways of thinking and a broader range of ideas to the table, which is crucial for science to flourish.Increased numbers of women in science can only be a good thing. Not simply because it is grossly unjust for women to be unable to experience the challenging but also hugely intellectually rewarding experience of participating in scientific research, but also because the cost to society of excluding women is intolerably high. We need the very best minds going into science, and it stands to reason that if women are excluded, we cut this resource in half. What's more, women bring new ways of thinking and a broader range of ideas to the table, which is crucial for science to flourish.
All scientists have a responsibility to be feminists and encourage women to participate in science and fight the barriers that exist. However this is often more easily said than done. There are several proposed reasons for why women are discouraged from participating in science at a range of levels – from primary school children to professors. Among other things, these include a lack of role models and support networks – as well as harassment and bullying – but also less obvious barriers, for example unconscious biases in job interviews and letters of reference.All scientists have a responsibility to be feminists and encourage women to participate in science and fight the barriers that exist. However this is often more easily said than done. There are several proposed reasons for why women are discouraged from participating in science at a range of levels – from primary school children to professors. Among other things, these include a lack of role models and support networks – as well as harassment and bullying – but also less obvious barriers, for example unconscious biases in job interviews and letters of reference.
In the end, the way to tackle prejudice against women is to increase awareness of the particular challenges faced by female scientists and to put systems in place that promote equal opportunities. Meanwhile, we need outstanding female role models to show unequivocally that women can compete on the same intellectual level as men and encourage other women to follow their lead. Together we can create the level playing field which is so desperately required.In the end, the way to tackle prejudice against women is to increase awareness of the particular challenges faced by female scientists and to put systems in place that promote equal opportunities. Meanwhile, we need outstanding female role models to show unequivocally that women can compete on the same intellectual level as men and encourage other women to follow their lead. Together we can create the level playing field which is so desperately required.
What do you think it means to be a scientist and a feminist? Is there a conflict? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below.What do you think it means to be a scientist and a feminist? Is there a conflict? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below.
This content is brought to you by Guardian Professional. To get more articles like this direct to your inbox, become a member of the Higher Education Network.This content is brought to you by Guardian Professional. To get more articles like this direct to your inbox, become a member of the Higher Education Network.
Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.