Women in Science

1. Women in Science Susan Wray Physiology, university of Liverpool

2. What's different? Caring responsibilities Anything else Top tips

3. Knowing what you want

4. Working mum vs stay at home mum Re entry fellowships Full time working mum vspart time mum

5. One size does not fit all – Do it your way Mummy-wars try to pit us against each other. We don’t have to belittle or question what another family chooses. (We rarely question what the Father does — whether he works or not.)

10. Ditch the guilt “Whatever decision you make, don’t feel guilty about it. You, not an outsider, know what is best for you and your family.”

12. Life and choices more complex for females

13. Times Higher

15. What's different? Caring responsibilities Anything else Top tips

16. Women in Science Universities/institutes • Female physiologists/scientist get appointed and promoted • Female physiologists are Heads of departments and faculties • Female physiologists/scientists are Vice Chancellors/executives • All universities/institutes have equal opportunity commitment

17. Women in Science Professional bodies Female physiologists on: • grant committees • editorial Boards • society committees • learned bodies

18. So, no problem? Women in Science

19. How good/ bad is it? Universities/institutes Female physiologists/scientist get appointed and promoted >50% women graduates, < 10% become professors professors and mothers....... Female physiologists are Heads of departments and faculties Most are first female head and majority of departments have never had a female head. Female physiologists/scientists are Vice Chancellors/executive Female VCs Very Rare beasts! All universities/institutes have equal opportunity commitment UK universities have been shown to be amongst worst institutions for gender equality. Equal opportunity not working

20. 1: How good/ bad is it? Professional bodies Female physiologists on BUT: • grant committees – few and no section heads, • Wellcome Trust physiol committee: 1/15 • editorial Boards - few : J.Physiol & ExptPhysiol • never a female chair: 0/14 • society committees – few especially on executives • Physiological Society currently 1/6 • learned bodies - very few; • Female Royal Society Fellows 6%

21. 1: How good/ bad is it? SAD GRUMPY

22. What are the issues? • Science/workplace attitudes male and female ways of doing things current set up evolved to suit males and male ways e.g. questions after talks: for info or ego? not a real scientist unless you life devoted to it female way = weak . success = male way power plays and alpha maleness; not as valued by women?

23. What are the issues? Women in Science, Engineering and Technology: Three Decades of UK Initiatives Alison Phipps (Trentham Books: 2008) “The success of initiatives has been limited by focusing on helping women to survive and thrive in existing masculine environments, rather than challenging the underlying work culture and perception of the ideal scientist as a masculine figure: ”.

24. What are the issues? • Stereotypes, assumptionsand prejudice Males are safe choice and plenty to pick from Women good at pastoral roles, teaching, details.... Female wouldn’t want to do it – she’s too busy already, parents/children to look after no experience...... not put herself forward Struggle in this role/discipline, get pregnant, emotional, too risky, bitchy, can’t take a joke, never in the bar (threatens me, may be better than me, didn’t want to sleep with me, what’s her problem!)

25. Give up now?! Scientist Smiley What are the issues? • and......... Society, biology, .......... Confidence Inner voice

26. Smiley in training Top tips

27. What can we do? A lot • Evaluate and celebrate success – role out role models • Mentor schemes • Do it your way – don’t give up • Be a sister not a b****

28. What can we do? • Evaluate and celebrate success – role out role models What is success – you decide Let people knowand spread the word e.g. Biophysical Society mag profiles Royal Society booklet about successful women who are also mothers, Step up the mark Volunteer, nominate, initiate, subvert

29. “Mothers in Science – 64 ways to have it all” free pdf from RS. Ottoline Leyser: Rosalind Franklin Award

30. Subvert – do it your way L’OREAL - UNESCO awards honouring women in science

31. What can we do? • Mentor schemes Join in, set up in work place and professional bodies network Tap in to existing organizations and expertise Step up to the mark volunteer Give money for named lecture, fellowship, bursary, that favours females

32. What can we do? • Mentor schemes Join in, set up in work place and professional bodies network Tap in to existing organizations and expertise

33. What can we do? • Do it your way – don’t give up One size doesn’t fit all Feel the fear – and do it anyway. (every now and then!) Illegitimi non carborundum Sisters are doing it for themselves

34. What can we do? • Be a sister not a bitch Don’t perpetuate stereotypes, assumptions and prejudices Don’t pull the ladder up Don’t get jealous – it’s easier now, let them learn from their mistakes That could /should have been me, so not helping her

35. Thanks to all the good guys, female and male, helping world physiology by being fair