Jessica Wade: recommendation

Transcript context

…How would you distinguish between productive and unproductive ways to encourage women in science? I would say unproductive ways to encourage women in science, which happen a lot, is constantly telling women in science there aren’t any women in science. Constantly we’re told, “Oh, there’s only 8 percent women engineers, so come and be a woman engineer.” I don’t think that’s a particularly useful way. I think the way to do it is to make sure everyone has the same educational opportunities. Make sure we have fantastic physics and math teachers in our high schools — and all our high schools, not just the expensive high schools. Make sure they’re getting the same kind of career advice and research opportunity. There’s quite a lot of evidence that shows that particularly people from historically excluded groups feel more like becoming a scientist if they’re introduced to the world of research and see those chances that they could have. Then, we’re giving people the same support throughout their career. The same access to lab space, the same kind of access to scientific funding, mentorship — things like that. That’s really useful and productive. Telling women that they’re different or telling women that they have to become more like a man — “here’s 10 fantastic steps on how to give a great presentation,” like the power stance stuff — that’s not particularly helpful. But actually giving people that opportunity, that funding, that space, and that support — that is really helpful. As you know, science plays itself out in a lot of different venues. There are nonprofits, there are for-profits, there are universities, there are governments. On the whole, where has discrimination against women been least bad, and where has it been the worst across sectors?…

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