Category Archives: women in science

Diversity? Who needs your diversity, we already know we are the smartest people in the room.

Posted on October 1, 2018 by Sylvia McLain

I am a member of an exclusive club. We, in our club, decide who the smartest people in the world are. The club, naturally, only contains white women who are below 5 foot 3 inches in height; 1.61 meters for … Continue reading →

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On quotas in Academia – do we need them?

Posted on March 24, 2018 by Sylvia McLain

As a graduate student I was asked to participate in a `women in science’ group. I refused. I was an old(er) grad student compared to my cohort, my goal was to get in and get out as fast as practically … Continue reading →

Posted in Bias, Unconscious bias, women in science | Comments Off on On quotas in Academia – do we need them?

Cry, cry, cry (for backwards Nobel Laureates)

Posted on June 9, 2015 by Sylvia McLain

So this happened – at The World Conference of Science Journalism, at a lunch sponsored by Korean female scientists and engineers – just yesterday. So as a human being, I am not sure I particularly care what Professor Tim Hunt, … Continue reading →

Posted in Tim Hunt, WCSJ, women in science | Tagged , , | 18 Comments

Women and Minorities have got it good, if they are fictional of course.

Posted on May 4, 2015 by Sylvia McLain

As all y’all know, because I am constantly reminding everyone, I am from Tennessee. I like to think I am not racist and I really sincerely hope I am not racist, but the culture I grew up in has a … Continue reading →

Posted in Racism, women in science | Tagged | 1 Comment

UK University debates, when gender segregation is OK?

Posted on November 24, 2013 by Sylvia McLain

Get real UK Universities Universities UK have issued some guidance on separating genders during debate,* apparently it is OK if the facilities are separate but equal. Women can be placed separately from men as long as they aren’t seated behind. … Continue reading →

Posted in Academic dishonesty, women in science | Tagged | 31 Comments

Where are all the damn women?

Posted on November 17, 2013 by Sylvia McLain

I was lucky enough to get tickets to BBC Radio 4’s Any Questions a few weeks ago held in St. Peter’s College (Oxford) chapel. It was a great atmosphere, if you ever get the chance to get tickets to such … Continue reading →

Posted in women in science | Tagged | 6 Comments

On portrayals of women in science(y) films

Posted on April 7, 2013 by Sylvia McLain

There is a feminist critical film theory from the 70’s that pointed out (rather astutely) that in many films women where just there to be looked at. Men did stuff, women were present either for visual pleasure, or simply as … Continue reading →

Posted in women, women in science, women in science films | Tagged , | 11 Comments

Sometimes things are just OK

Posted on July 25, 2012 by Sylvia McLain

Last weekend I was part of an Occam’s outpost (with Jenny Rohn and Stephen Curry) who spoke at the Winchester Science Festival – well done to James Thomas (@jimbobthomas) for organizing it and thank you for inviting me. It was … Continue reading →

Posted in women in science | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Science it’s a *&%$ thing.

Posted on June 22, 2012 by Sylvia McLain

I really like film Legally Blonde. If you haven’t seen it, it’s about an sorority queen (think masses of pink) who chases her boyfriend to Harvard Law school. The movie starts off with a stereotypical girly girl, Elle, (very stereotypical … Continue reading →

Posted in women in science | Tagged , | 15 Comments

On women in science

Posted on September 1, 2010 by Sylvia McLain

I am always in 2 minds about Women in Science. There is something about that title that reminds me of the Muppet Show and I can hear the announcement line sounding like ‘Pigs in Space’ – and it just sounds … Continue reading →

Posted in science ethics, women, women in science | Tagged , | 6 Comments