I recently came across a great BBC interview with a young female scientist that's so positive and affirming for any aspiring young women considering a career in science. For me, it was the
enthusiasm of my young female biology and chemistry teachers at Walthamstow
Senior High School that gave me the final confidence to apply to London South
Bank University to study a BSc(Hons) degree.
However, when I started work, I didn't look like a 'typical' scientist
when I rocked up to meetings as their scientific specialist in a bright green
suit, heels and a pony tail. And the 'cockney' accent certainly threw them too.
It took dedication to professional development, support from my line management
to present my scientific research (including refusals to take minutes at
meetings), as well as finally putting my BSc(Hons) and MSc after my name on a
signature block (as all the men did), but I got there.
I still remember my daughter's school friends asking me if I really was a
scientist, and when I asked them what one looked like, they described a similar
picture to the one shown in the clip below - funny grey hair, a lab coat ...
and a man.
I hope we can all help to break down the barriers for young women who think
that a career in science is beyond their societal and capable reach. With all
the challenges ahead of us, we need more scientists, and people who will
support those scientists in their career whether they be film makers,
journalists and teachers – and even creative writers like myself.
You can see a clip from the BBC interview with Holly Ellis (The Scouse Scientist) at:
https://www.facebook.com/reel/1136230514405236
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| me as a scientist fishing for crabs with a future ship navigator |
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