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Women scientists 'distract men, fall in love with them and cry when criticised,' says Nobel Prize winner Women scientists 'distract men, fall in love with them and cry when criticised,' says Nobel Prize winner Tim Hunt
(about 1 hour later)
Women scientists should work in same-sex labs because, not only do they distract men from their work, they also fall in love with male colleagues and cry when they are criticised. Women scientists should work in same-sex labs because they distract men from their work, fall in love with male colleagues and cry when they are criticised.
At least that is the view of British Nobel Prize winner, Tim Hunt, who admitted yesterday that he is a “chauvinistic pig” at a conference in South Korea which was hosted by female scientists.At least that is the view of British Nobel Prize winner, Tim Hunt, who admitted yesterday that he is a “chauvinistic pig” at a conference in South Korea which was hosted by female scientists.
Sir Tim – who won the 2001 Prize for discovering protein molecules that control the division of cells – was giving a toast at a lunch where he raised a glass to tell his stunned hosts: “Let me tell you about my trouble with girls. Three things happen when they are in the lab: you fall in love with them, they fall in love with you and – when you criticise them – they cry.”Sir Tim – who won the 2001 Prize for discovering protein molecules that control the division of cells – was giving a toast at a lunch where he raised a glass to tell his stunned hosts: “Let me tell you about my trouble with girls. Three things happen when they are in the lab: you fall in love with them, they fall in love with you and – when you criticise them – they cry.”
The 72-year-old laureate’s remarks were reported by Connie St Louis, a science journalism lecturer at London’s City University, who was at the conference. She said: “Suddenly, he jumped up and said he was a chauvinist pig.The 72-year-old laureate’s remarks were reported by Connie St Louis, a science journalism lecturer at London’s City University, who was at the conference. She said: “Suddenly, he jumped up and said he was a chauvinist pig.
“They were horrified, really horrified. Some people laughed nervously. Some just sat there and put their heads in their hands. It was so awful and worse – he was British.”“They were horrified, really horrified. Some people laughed nervously. Some just sat there and put their heads in their hands. It was so awful and worse – he was British.”
Sir Tim’s comments have struck a negative chord because careers in science are still hugely dominated by men – with only 13% of workers being women – despite campaigns over the years by successive governments to get more women into the field.
The Royal Society – of which Sir Tim is a fellow – distanced itself from his remarks last night and seemed to be in no mood to jump to his defence anytime soon.
Uta Frith, a neuroscientist, called it a “Watson moment” – referring to controversial racial statements made previously by James Watson.
Dr Watson – who won the Nobel Prize for discovering the structure of DNA – caused uproar in 2007 when he suggested that black people were less intelligent than white people.
“We’re all upset by Tim Hunt’s chauvinist remarks,” said Professor Frith on Twitter last night. She then went on to offer Sir Tim “explicit bias training, never mind implicit”, courtesy of the Royal Society.
A statement from the Society read: “Too many talented individuals do not fulfil their scientific potential because of issues such as gender and the Society is committed to helping to put this right.”
Sir Tim has been unreachable for comment following the incident.
A James Watson moment? @carlgomb We're all upset by Tim Hunt's chauvinist remarks @royalsociety Diversity https://t.co/81PkqhXUdNA James Watson moment? @carlgomb We're all upset by Tim Hunt's chauvinist remarks @royalsociety Diversity https://t.co/81PkqhXUdN
We @royalsociety would be happy to offer Tim Hunt explicit bias training, never mind implicit. @ClareBurrage @david_colquhounWe @royalsociety would be happy to offer Tim Hunt explicit bias training, never mind implicit. @ClareBurrage @david_colquhoun
Tim Hunt interviewed me for Cambridge. He didn't make me cry. Have I been in love with him all this time, then? ;-) @utafrith @deevybeeTim Hunt interviewed me for Cambridge. He didn't make me cry. Have I been in love with him all this time, then? ;-) @utafrith @deevybee
Sir Tim’s comments have struck a negative chord because careers in science are still hugely dominated by men – with only 13% of workers being women – despite campaigns over the years by successive governments to get more women into the field.
The Royal Society – of which Sir Tim is a fellow – distanced itself from his remarks last night and seemed to be in no mood to jump to his defence anytime soon.
Uta Frith, a neuroscientist, called it a “Watson moment” – referring to controversial racial statements made previously by James Watson.