I’m more of a spooky scientist than a sparkly scientist, but this resonates with me anyway. There have definitely been times where I felt like expressing femininity was at odds with my identity as a scientist. I know that those elements can and do exist with me at the same time, but I used to feel like this would cause me to appear less legitimate as a scientist.
It turns out that the assholes who make science feel hostile to women don’t particularly give a fuck about how you dress (except perhaps to be creepy weirdos because obviously if a woman dresses nice, she must be doing it for them. Fortunately, I’ve not directly experienced this kind of creepiness, but I know it exists).
On the flip side though, refusing to be subsumed by impossible expectations has made it easier to connect with people who respect good scientists, regardless of their gender — whilst also working to be aware of how gendered oppression affects women’s experience in science. As depressing as it is to be constantly aware of the many obstacles that persist for women in STEM, I feel heartened to see how many people are fighting the good fight. Having good allies significantly reduces the mental and emotional burden of being marginalised. And these folks are way better scientists anyway (who’d have thunk? Being open to a plurality of perspectives is pretty important for science).
The past is grim, and the present often is too. However, me and my sparkly colleagues have shown that we will be a part of the future of science.
I’m more of a spooky scientist than a sparkly scientist, but this resonates with me anyway. There have definitely been times where I felt like expressing femininity was at odds with my identity as a scientist. I know that those elements can and do exist with me at the same time, but I used to feel like this would cause me to appear less legitimate as a scientist.
It turns out that the assholes who make science feel hostile to women don’t particularly give a fuck about how you dress (except perhaps to be creepy weirdos because obviously if a woman dresses nice, she must be doing it for them. Fortunately, I’ve not directly experienced this kind of creepiness, but I know it exists).
On the flip side though, refusing to be subsumed by impossible expectations has made it easier to connect with people who respect good scientists, regardless of their gender — whilst also working to be aware of how gendered oppression affects women’s experience in science. As depressing as it is to be constantly aware of the many obstacles that persist for women in STEM, I feel heartened to see how many people are fighting the good fight. Having good allies significantly reduces the mental and emotional burden of being marginalised. And these folks are way better scientists anyway (who’d have thunk? Being open to a plurality of perspectives is pretty important for science).
The past is grim, and the present often is too. However, me and my sparkly colleagues have shown that we will be a part of the future of science.
That’s really interesting thanks