Tag Archives: women in science

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

Persevering against all odds is NOT the way forward

Posted on June 17, 2010 by Sylvia McLain

Beware of the hype.. Most of us love a good old perseverance, against all odds, pulling yourself up by your boot straps story. And there are thousands of them about scientific people – some apocryphal, some mythological and some of … Continue reading →

Posted in science ethics, UK Science policy, women in science | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Dumb and Dumber: the mismeasure of women

Posted on May 13, 2010 by Sylvia McLain

Oh no here we go again.. Every 5 – 10 years the good old IQ debate comes up…. and usually some minority comes out on bottom, women, African-Americans – yet no one ever asks themselves why is it that White … Continue reading →

Posted in bad science, science, women, women in science | Tagged , , | 3 Comments