Jenny Rohn nominated by georgina ferry
“Jenny Rohn is possibly the most socially engaged scientist I know. She runs a cell biology research lab at University College London, working on the understanding and treatment of urinary tract infections, which affect half of all women in their lifetimes. Important as it is, though, it was not Jenny’s science that made her the obvious choice for my Suffrage Science heirloom brooch. I received it for my work as an author from Brenda Maddox, who is herself an author. So I thought I should keep the communication theme going for this particular brooch, moving on from women who write books to a woman who explores science through the world of social media. Jenny does both. She has published two novels set in scientific contexts. She curates the website LabLit.com, which highlights examples of science in fiction. She blogs perceptively and humorously about her own scientific life at OccamsTypewriter.com, and for the Guardian. If that were not enough, she is the chair of the grassroots campaign Science is Vital, lobbying for support for the science base in the UK, and has made frequent appearances on radio and TV. And she is the mum of a child just approaching his first birthday.” says Georgina Ferry, who’s passing on the heirloom.
“I have a very strong memory from when I was
ask why she thinks that is. ‘Family matters must
about ten years old, when a careers advisor
make a difference. It’s very difficult to compete
came to school,” says Jenny. “I said that I
with someone who has taken no time out.
was interested in science, and I was advised
The way we are assessed in academic science
to become a nurse. I wish I could say to that
involves how many papers we’ve published –
person now, “You had no right to tell me that.
that’s the number one metric. If you take time
Look what happened to me. I’m a successful
out to raise a family, rather than working late in
scientist. Healthcare isn’t the only outlet for a
the lab, you’re not going to be as productive as
woman who’s interested in science.” I always
a colleague who has no family. It’s a barefaced
kicked off against anyone who told me I couldn’t
fact.’
be a scientist. But I can imagine another girl saying, “OK, I’d better become a nurse.””
And career breaks aren’t always taken into
A Barefaced Fact
says. “I’ve applied for jobs and found out that
account when scientists are assessed, she
In Jenny’s field of cell biology, at least half of
the reason I didn’t get shortlisted was simply
all undergraduates, PhD students and post-docs
because the number of papers I had didn’t stack
are women. Then numbers start to plummet. I
up due to my career break.”
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