Suffrage Science Engineering and Physical Sciences 2013 by MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences

suffrage science 2013

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Contents

Introduction

Measure, Make & Mend Julia Higgins and Athene Donald on changing perceptions of women in science

Lesley Yellowlees and Molly Stevens on science and families

Eileen Ingham and Jennifer Nichols discuss people who inspired them

Survey, See & Comprehend Susan Gathercole and Sally Macintyre on the journey up the academic ladder

Clare Elwell and Petra Schwille exchange views on female stereotypes in science

Maggie-Aderin Pocock on building a career in science and raising a family

Suffrage Heirloom Jewellery 30

Designs to commemorate women in science

Suffrage Textiles Ribbons referencing the suffrage movement and women in science

Index of Featured Scientists Pioneering contributions to engineering and the physical sciences relevant to medicine

Tracing Suffrage Heirlooms Follow the provenance of 12 pieces of Suffrage Heirloom Jewellery

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“

A successful career in science is always demanding of intellect hard work and resilience; only more so for most women.

”

Professor Dame Sally C Davies

From top, left to right: (Row 1) Jennifer Nichols, Sally Macintyre, Athene Donald, Julia Higgins, Susan Gathercole, Lesley Yellowlees, (Row 2) Petra Schwille, Clare Elwell, Kathy Sykes, Molly Stevens, Maggie Aderin-Pocock, Eileen Ingham, (Row 3) Anne McLaren, Barbara McClintock, Beatrice Hahn, Mina Bissell, Brenda Maddox, Dorothy Hodgkin, (Row 4) Brigid Hogan, Christiane Nüsslein-Volhard, Fiona Watt, Gail Martin, Helen Fisher, Françoise Barré-Sinoussi, (Row 5) Hilde Mangold, Jane Goodall, Elizabeth Blackburn, Janet Thornton, Carol Greider, Rosalind Franklin, (Row 6) Kathleen Lonsdale, Liz Robertson, Louise Johnson, Mary Lyon, Mary Collins, Vivienne Parry, (Row 7) Uta Frith, Amanda Fisher, Linda Buck, Sara-Jayne Blakemore, Sohaila Rastan, Zena Werb

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Introduction

On International Women’s Day, Suffrage Science 2013 unites the voices of leading female scientists in the engineering and physical sciences underpinning medicine The suffrage movement brought together women

Commemorating women through the arts

from all walks of life to campaign for the right to vote. They gathered in tearooms across the country –

Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design has

then the only socially acceptable place for women to

created a unique collection of jewellery and textiles

convene outside the home – to discuss, debate and

to commemorate and promote women in science.

drive forward their cause. Over a century later great

Inspired by the women celebrated in Suffrage Science:

strides have been made towards equality, however

2013 and referencing the suffrage movement, the

men are still six times more likely to work in a science,

collection echoes the continuing struggle for equality.

technology or engineering profession than women1 – despite women comprising almost half the workforce.

Students taking BA Jewellery and Textile Design degrees at Central Saint Martins have created bespoke

Suffrage Science 2011 celebrated the achievements

heirlooms for women scientists to wear. These are

of leading women scientists and communicators in

featured on pages 30 to 53. After two years, jewellery

the life sciences on the centenary of International

will be passed on to the next generation of female

Women’s Day in 2011. Following on from this success,

scientists. Track their progress on page 56.

Suffrage Science 2013 honours women scientists and communicators in engineering and the physical sciences, that relate to medicine. Only nine percent of professors in the UK are women1 and only six percent in physics2. In 2013, the centenary of the Medical Research Council, we decorate 12 leading women with bespoke jewellery heirlooms,

reminiscent

the

specially

crafted

jewellery received by leading women of the suffrage movement.

1 2

Women and men in science, engineering and technology: the UKRC Statistics Guide 2010 Academic physics staff in UK higher education institutions: Institute of Physics January 2012

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Measure, Make & Mend

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measure

Julia Higgins and Athene Donald examine changing perceptions of women in science

Thirty young teenagers are noisily exploring the mechanics of levers while Julia Higgins, their teacher, cogitates on a possible escape to pursue just wasn’t for me,” she admits frankly. To the newly wed in the mid 1960s, teaching seemed a logical progression from her PhD. Two years later, however, she found the way out. A letter she’d sent to a friend of her father-in-law fortuitously ended up in the hands of a chemist at Manchester University. Sir Geoffrey Allen made no bones about recruiting her to do a postdoc in his lab.

Julia Higgins time for science is proving scarce. Demands on her time include serving on a number of Councils

She proved an asset to Allen’s research group

including that of the University of Cambridge

thanks to a technique learnt during her PhD:

where she currently works, the Royal Society and

neutron scattering – a way to probe the structure

the European Research Council, as well as chairing

of polymers. Over the next four decades her career in science would take her to the top of

the Royal Society’s Education Committee and the

including Foreign Secretary for the Royal Society

several years to go before she reaches retirement

Athena Forum (born of the Athena Project). With age, she has surprised herself by taking on so

and Chair to the Engineering and Physical Sciences

much, but feels a moral duty to support younger

Research Council. In 2001 she was made Dame

researchers and free up their time for research.

chair of the Athena Project, aimed at improving

Campaigning Careers

the career prospects for women in science and engineering. Julia knows Dame Athene Donald well. Both are physicists with a common grounding

Through her campaigning work for women in

in polymer studies. Athene started out doing

science, Athene says she is following in Julia’s

electron microscopy of metals but her research model and I’ve never forgiven her,” quips Julia. To

interests now lie in soft matter physics. Although she has taken on so many leadership roles that

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measure

my drawer as a reminder of the extraordinary change in life going up to Oxford was for me.” Julia Higgins

else did I have?” acknowledging that being looked sometimes, so I apologise.” Julia reassures her. just made me feel elderly!”

Athene Donald Both scientists want more women to reach

something that is articulated, it’s subconscious

the existence proof, the idea that it’s possible:

and is about feeling more comfortable,” she says.

young women don’t get lectured to by a woman

Her friends in engineering have found the same:

in physics very often.” Trailblazing has been a

women attract more women to a research group,

lonely journey for Athene: she hasn’t had as

and the difference it makes is social. She recounts

many female supporters around her as Julia,

the revelation of meeting other women her age at conferences and discovering the joy of sitting

female physics lecturer at Cambridge, and the

without it, but it’s just such a pleasure.”

Julia remembers the big party that Athene threw to celebrate: at the time there were only twelve professors promoted across the whole University

Standing Out

of Cambridge each year, so it was an enormous achievement at the age of just 44. When Julia got her professorship eight years earlier, she was one

Both

of just a few women at Imperial College London.

testosterone’ at some physics conferences –

Now there are upwards of 50.

particularly the ones that attract bright, young

Working at the interface with biology has brought

do with the bragging rights,” explains Athene.

Athene together with more women scientists. And

An off-putting prospect for some postgraduates,

women

note

‘frightening

amount

Julia reveals a disproportionately high number of women seek a PhD studentship in her lab because

think it’s useful to be able to discuss it, and instead

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“

There is a frightening amount of testosterone at some physics conferences

”

of quitting, to realise you’re not alone and that go about the research. During her second postdoc, encouraged by Kramer,

Speaking from bitter experience, Athene shares

Athene began to consider a career in academia. in with her husband’s PhD in mathematics, but

to the next,” she says. Falling in love with her

not getting on with my professor. I didn’t enjoy

good for my personal life, but great for the science.”

the project,” she says. Studying grain boundaries

Kramer took her under his wing at conferences and introduced her to all his contacts, though she has

was happening in three dimensions. The Dames

some reservations about how, as a young woman

laugh about conforming to a stereotypically

by his side, she may have been perceived.

when I thought I’d shown something, but got my

Family Ties

geometry wrong and had to withdraw a paper from

Returning to the UK on a Fellowship grant at not pleased”.

Cambridge, Athene was again moving in support of her husband’s career. Mentorship from polymer physicist Sir Sam Edwards was a boon. She

sought another post to keep her Visa going while

remembers a conversation with him when she

her husband completed his studies. Switching

announced she wanted to start a family, to which

Edward Kramer

asserted,

‘intelligent

women

should

have

proved fruitful, and within six weeks they were have said, ‘if you’re going to get pregnant I don’t want to know you’, a common attitude at the time.” good.” Julia harks back to a similar experience,

Having two children, Athene manages to juggle work and family responsibilities with her husband,

establishment, which being a woman, you are.”

whose fellowship grant ran out when the children

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“

Intelligent women should have families

”

were aged two and four. Failing to secure a

eventually someone would have, but it could have

subsequent fellowship, he decided to become the

been years,” Julia points out.

but he never did, so my success has come at his expense,” she says. It makes her feel like a bad role model because not many people’s partners Two years later she set up a campaign to advance women’s careers at Imperial College, and was also Julia has no children, but argues it creates a

involved in the Athena Project from the outset.

different set of issues. She hasn’t worked outside

Julia notes that female professors were just over

the UK save two early postdocs because her roots she and colleagues began their support activities seen what happens when you work overseas,” she

for women academics, but now they make up almost 15 percent.

can bring some of the pieces with you.” Looking at progress on gender equality, the two

Changes Afoot

scientists are encouraged to see signs of change. Athene, as Gender and Equality champion for

Edwards was an important mentor for Julia too.

becoming more conscious of supporting a healthy

Her research group was doing experiments that

work-life balance in their departments through,

bolstered his theory, and he supported her career

for instance, scheduling seminars in core hours

progression. When she asked him to referee her professorship application, Edwards asked

atmosphere evolves,” she says. What’s important

whether anyone had proposed her membership of the Royal Society yet. He then took the trouble

believe they are wrapped up in stereotypes. It is making a difference.”

my research working on starch which has brought me closer to biology.” Athene Donald

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make

Lesley Yellowlees and Molly Stevens review successes in science while raising families

Scottish chemist Lesley Yellowlees has a favourite their high heels and the men all dressed up in their kilts for gradation is such a happy day.” She wants to encourage others to succeed in return has achieved her dream of

presiding over the

Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) and heading the faculty of science and engineering at the them both at the same time,” she laughs.

Lesley Yellowlees

Suffrage Science brings Lesley together with Molly Stevens, research director for biomedical materials sciences at the Institute of Biomedical

Juggling Jobs

Engineering, Imperial College London. They have a lot in common. Molly also loves seeing people in her group succeed and go on to set up their own

Molly takes time out from maternity leave to talk to

research groups.

Lesley, her two-month-old son asleep on her lap. She is working throughout her leave whenever her baby sleeps and visits her forty-strong research

emotional for me. I get very attached, and have

group twice a week. The multidisciplinary Stevens

a tear in my eye when they leave,” she admits.

group works at the interface between materials,

Lesley says the attachment can go surprisingly

cell biology, chemistry and engineering – exploiting this interface for human health. Their recent, high-

sometimes because so many of the students call me ‘Mum’: my children protested, ‘but you’re our

detecting diseases in their earliest stages, and an

mother, not theirs!’” is currently progressing to the clinic.

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“

So many of my students call me ‘Mum’

”

than a job to me,” says Molly. Many previous hobbies – what she calls the ‘lazing around’ side of her life – have fallen by the wayside amid the competing demands of work and family life.

with that; it’s a choice you make.” Both scientists are frequently approached by young women seeking advice. Molly is still in

Molly Stevens

the thick of it: she has six-year-old twins as well

from school and give them their tea when she had issues that apply differently to men and women

to work late. She talks warmly of her ‘national

in science.” Most inspired by other successful

treasure’ Ella, who worked for her at home for 26

women scientists who have families she remains if you want to have a high-powered, successful career and bring up children, because you’ve got Lesley works on solar cells: synthesising and

to feel 100 per cent comfortable that they are

characterising solar energy dyes, among other

being looked after if you can’t be there.”

Both her children are now grown up so she is

Making History

aware of the pressures women in science face. the road,” Her mum would pick her kids up

head of chemistry at the University of Edinburgh;

the presidency of the RSC in its 171-year history.

me that the world needs more senior women scientists and gave me this statue of Nefertiti.” Lesley Yellowlees

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“

I love discussing science. It’s more like a hobby than a job to me

”

up in the excitement of the role, so I just get on

the error of my ways,” she says ruefully. When

with the challenges ahead.” Molly jokingly pleads:

her husband got a job in Brisbane, Australia, she

Royal Society afterwards, because it really annoys

a research job in electrochemistry, working on the

me when I walk up the stairs there and see only

electrochemical deposition of semiconductors for

male faces of ex-presidents!”

use in solar energy cells.”

As president of the RSC, Lesley has decided to

Laurie Lyons, group head at the University of Queensland and professor of physical chemistry, pledged Lesley a bottle of champagne for every

to the whole mix, and there’s a lot of work being done on unconscious and systemic bias against

ability to turn solar energy into electricity. She left two and a half years later (to begin her PhD in

proper attention.” She is anxious that the ‘leaky pipeline’ – the drop-out of women with degrees in

amusing,” she smiles. She remains passionate

science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) from STEM careers – be addressed for

him.” talk about it. It doesn’t bode well for the quick

Unconventional Beginnings

economic recovery of our country. We need every competent, inspiring person out there, and that requires women as well as men.” Although there

Molly’s

career

path

was

equally

unplanned.

are many reasons why women leave, she believes recommend the unconventional route.” As a child the time I did, you were bound to feel isolated.”

living in France with British parents, she was bilingual, and moved to the UK to attend secondary

Having studied chemical physics at the University of Edinburgh, she enjoyed the analytical aspects of

geography since I’m passionate about travel and

doing an experiment and deciphering the results.

other cultures.” She almost undertook a degree in

Feeling she’d had enough of science, she initially

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“

We need every inspiring person out there, and that means women and men

”

my other interests could be kept up more easily

professor in the materials department. And she’s a

on the side.” Pharmacy meant she didn’t have to

regular participant in Professor Uta Frith’s ‘Women

choose between chemistry and biology.

in Science’ group, which meets for lunches and discussions in London.

Afterwards she worked and travelled around

Looking Forward

Asia, New Zealand and Australia, doing some lab research in Melbourne, which convinced her to embark on a PhD. Working in Bill Charman’s

Molly has led her group at Imperial since 2004,

extremely welcoming group on drug delivery guy to work for.

over which time her motivations have matured. No longer is it just her interest in the subject

I arrived with more or less

that drives her, but seeing its impact on health,

nothing, and he lent me his car. His generous

especially in the poorest populations in the world.

personality and enthusiasm for the science was totally inspirational.” Molly did a biophysics PhD

keen on more than just nice papers.”

at the University of Nottingham investigating the forces between molecules in the early days of

Lesley gets a thrill from other people’s success:

nanotechnology. Her postdoc involved a massive

her chemistry department at the University of

leap again to chemical engineering at MIT.

Edinburgh was the second in the UK to receive an Athena Swan gold award in 2012. Like their 2006 silver award, attained under her leadership,

female professor of bioengineering at Imperial are relatively few female professors at Imperial,

has to want and support it, so you have to make

each other and gravitate a bit towards each other,

disproportionately from that.” The department is

plus I really appreciate my male professorial colleagues.” She’s pleased to have another female

think it’s better for everybody.”

and South America, where I saw how the very poorest live, inspiring me to help develop technologies that can positively impact these populations.” Molly Stevens

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Eileen Ingham and Jennifer Nichols meet to discuss the men and women who inspired them

Medical

immunologist

Eileen

Ingham

and

developmental biologist Jennifer Nichols have never met before. Their respective achievements in regenerative medicine have brought them them in somewhat different communities, in conversation it becomes apparent that they share similar experiences and views on women in science and why there aren’t more at the top of the academic ladder. Eileen Ingham investigates repair of the body’s complex machinery at the University of Leeds. Using novel tissue engineering technology she develops techniques to patch up blood vessels in a bid to tackle cardiovascular disease. Her work explores the immune system’s reaction to

Eileen Ingham

various manmade substances, with the aim of developing superior materials for prosthetic joint

could reduce the number of mice used in research

replacements.

to study diseases such as diabetes. Prosthetics and stem cell biology both form part of stem

cells

paramount

yielding

Biological Beginnings

their

restorative properties. Jennifer Nichols, based

Both Eileen and Jenny’s love of science developed

at the Wellcome Trust-Medical Research Council

early, nurtured in environments at home and

Stem Cell Institute, probes how stem cells are assigned in the embryo researching ways to

can’t ever remember being discouraged at all.

replicate this in the lab. Her investigations have

I was encouraged by family, encouraged by my

yielded a technique to generate stem cells, which

teachers at school, it was always very positive,”

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“

Rosa Beddington was a wonderful woman and a brilliant scientist. I still miss her

”

Dad picking up stones and looking under them. I always used to collect things, bring them home and put them in jars, something Dad encouraged but my mother absolutely hated. I once found a leech sticking to me while paddling so I put it in a jar. And then it had babies. I was so excited but embryology grew from that, really.”

Motivating Mentors Developmental biologist Richard Gardner gave Jenny the freedom to pursue her natural curiosity beautiful work putting cells into early embryos and watching them develop.” It was here that she met

Jennifer Nichols

a young Rosa Beddington, who had just embarked and really, really encouraging. Rosa invited me to go and work at Cold Spring Harbor on a course,

teacher Ms Morris. I don’t think I ever knew

which introduced me to a lot of people whose work I had read.”

lessons and was fascinated by the subject.” Beddington conducted seminal work on embryo Jenny’s formative years were also inspired by

development before her career was cut short by from which instructions are sent out to direct

and all of our holidays were spent somewhere

patterns of embryonic development. Beddington’s

near the sea. I like swimming but don’t care

fortitude and skill as a scientist left a lasting

for sunbathing, so I’d be running around after

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“

All my PhD students have been girls. It’s about staying in, not getting in

”

Gender Roles

her. She was a wonderful woman and a brilliant scientist.”

When it comes to the art of conducting good science, both women scientists feel gender has little

According to Jenny there are no shortage of strong think there are differences between scientists and the one branch of science where women almost

their varying motivations,” suggests Eileen. They

dominate. I’ve never felt discriminated against.”

attribute the lack of women at the top to their

In contrast Eileen remembers during her early

choosing to opt out and better manage family lives.

career that it wasn’t uncommon to be the only woman in a staff meeting. Everybody was always

It’s more about staying in, than getting in,” feels Jenny.

Faculty’s only female amid male academics can be an advantage sometimes. People feel that they shouldn’t be putting on you because you’re the only woman.”

something like 60 PhD students now, and probably more than half are girls. The life choices they

Guiding Eileen through her career were several

make beyond that are entirely up to them. One of

noted male scientists. After her undergraduate

the problems, especially in biological science and

degree in biochemistry and microbiology, Gerald

engineering, is that things move so quickly. If you

Gowland became both her PhD and post-doctoral supervisor. Gowland regaled Eileen with stories

be able to catch up on the new knowledge that has been published during that time.” For those who

work with Nobel laureate Peter Medawar, and felt privileged to have a supervisor who had worked with a Nobel Prize-winning scientist. That really

enjoy what you do day-to-day. When things

kept me motivated.” Medawar’s medical legacy –

work and you make new discoveries, it’s

the basis of immune rejection in tissue grafts –

absolutely fantastic.”

facilitates organ transplants to this day.

represent most of my life’s effort in research.” Eileen Ingham

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mend

“

When you make new discoveries, it’s absolutely fantastic

Future Predictions

”

Eileen hopes that repairing tissues such as blood vessels, ligaments and cartilage will rely less on

The enthusiasm for research that both Eileen

of basic research that we cannot even begin to

and Jenny share is balanced by a sense of

imagine yet will open up in the coming decades. 30 years ago epigenetics was unheard of. It’s now

should expect to get something out of us,” Jenny

becoming very important. We owe it to society to

remarks. Her research is becoming decidedly translational – although perhaps too quickly.

of their game still need to be allowed to pursue

that we can actually transplant into patients.

curiosity-driven research because there’s a lot

We’re going to lose some of the basic biology –

of fundamental knowledge we still don’t have.

understanding about how things really work and

Keeping a balance is critical.”

what can go wrong. We should be translational, but there should be a balance.”

effort and reward, but apart from this I can also think more clearly when hill walking.” Jennifer Nichols

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Survey, See & Comprehend

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survey

Susan Gathercole and Sally Macintyre discuss their journeys to the top of the academic ladder

a difference, improving the world and helping on their career as social scientist Sally Macintyre. Based at the University of Glasgow, she is director of the MRC Social and Public Health Sciences Unit and has published widely on how health is affected by inequality. Susan Gathercole is director of another MRC research centre: the Cambridge-based Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit. As a psychologist her work involves memory and its disorders, insights

Susan Gathercole

from which she shares through a range of forums, from head teacher conferences to dyslexia selfexperience. It’s never felt like a job. What more

grow.” A stint at technical college saw her aim

can you hope for from a working life?”

for stage management. Fatefully forced to take General Studies, she was hooked after a term of

Both are directors of MRC units, but they’ve met

anthropology. Margaret Mead’s work on male and

only once before. Together they chat about how they got to where they are now, and share views

serendipity. I had no plans to be a social scientist.”

on ensuring gender equality. Five out of six universities rejected her application

Serendipitous Starts

only college at Durham University. The principal specialised in ‘taking on a few wacky outsiders

Sally had an unconventional start in life in a

each year’.” The experience she found both

remote Scottish boarding school for boys where her father worked as chaplain. She was educated

not fashionable to say that,” she laughs. The social

at home until she joined a ballet school aged

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survey

“

When you make new discoveries, it’s absolutely fantastic

”

science lecturers were men, but college tutors all have the ability to do.” Susan grew up in the north west of England as the eldest of four. Her family moved every couple of years with her father’s job as a banker. She attended half a dozen primary schools and three secondary schools and had little interest in higher education. One day, however, a teacher delivered a presentation on Sigmund Freud interesting than anything else I’d heard before.”

Sally Macintyre understand human behaviour in ways that are

under electricity pylons) on people’s cognitive

relatively lawful was fascinating. It was the most

abilities, made a lasting impression on Susan,

fortunate accident,” she remarks. After reading

as did his views on the duty researchers have to

The Psychology of Communication by Miller she

better society.

decided last minute to apply for a degree. At York University she discovered her love for cognitive

Gender Divides

psychology. revolutionised

Susan notes a gender disparity in psychology

international psychology in the 1950s, was a

further up the ladder, except in clinical psychology.

Donald

Broadbent,

who

Sally doesn’t see it in sociology, but feels the social sciences are undervalued by researchers in and practice. To be gathered into that vortex of

natural sciences or medicine, where there’s more

his interest and engagement was fabulous.” His

of an ‘alpha-male thing’ going on. She asserts,

applied take on psychology, such as the effects of adverse environmental conditions (like living

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survey

“

Somehow we are still seen as ‘soft and fluffy’. That annoys me

”

had only applied for the post after the shortlisting

the same status, somehow we are still seen as

committee invited her, and even then didn’t think she had a chance.

within the MRC community and there may be less currency to your views.”

Similarly, Susan recalls she only applied for her

Sally admits to accepting her honours awards –

while on a subcommittee reviewing the unit in her

post after other women prompted her. In 2009 capacity as an academic at York University, they

OBE, CBE and DBE – to improve the respectability

discovered there were no women in any of the

damehood, she immediately assumed it was a

fuss,” she recalls. One of the outcomes was that some younger, mostly female members of staff self-

time, thinking ‘this is bizarre!’ I’ve not changed

organised to form an equality committee. Invited

the world.” As Dame Sally Macintyre, she notes the number of meetings where place cards at

fabulous chance to talk about how you get treated

the dining table acknowledge knights as ‘sir’

as a woman in science.” The directorship came up

it was quite a sexist thing, so I mentioned it at one dinner.” The organisers had presumed she

amazed to be appointed.”

use the title at all, but if others, especially men,

Sally believes that self-censorship is a continuing subtle – rather than structural – barrier for women

do then I’m jolly well going to!” Both scientists were appointed director at each of their research units, though it took time before they felt comfortable in what had previously been a male role. Sally became director aged 33 and

if I leave work at lunchtime with my gym kit then I’m giving permission to others to do the same.” Sally Macintyre

terrible time for about ten years. As an internal appointment, I was suddenly promoted above my colleagues, a lot of whom were male.” She

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survey

“

You can be a successful woman without being an alpha-female

”

Likewise, Sally takes pains to demonstrate that a job with only two out of ten essential criteria,

she takes a proper lunch break, doesn’t work late,

but a woman with nine and a half will not, rings true. Women need the encouragement and they

leaving the unit at lunchtime with my gym kit,

need to be put forward by others.” Susan agrees

I’m giving permission to others to do the same. A male unit director once told me it was impossible to go away for more than a week at a time. If I

Maintaining Balance

want to go away somewhere interesting I go for

Susan leaves meetings early to collect the

As a manager, she tries to listen to people and take

six weeks.”

children, takes phone calls from school, and takes

woman without being an alpha-female.” Susan,

time off work when they are unwell; highlighting

as a senior leader in a creative environment, has

the importance of maintaining a healthy work-

learnt to put mechanisms in place for decision-

is incredibly important. I’m a single parent and

equality a natural outcome. If innovation and

have always shouldered the burden of childcare. I rarely do more than an eight-hour day, and I work

productivity are what it’s all about, then diversity

short is popular with colleagues too.

engineering. You just end up so much stronger.”

and equality make huge sense. It’s not just social

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see

Clare Elwell and Petra Schwille exchange views on breaking female stereotypes in science

Swapping notes on how to thrive as topranking female physicists in a male-dominated environment, Petra Schwille and Clare Elwell

Munich, Germany, and works on fundamental processes in cells. London-based Clare is more applications-focussed,

developing

instruments

that help doctors solve medical problems. They discuss why so few women occupy the top jobs women by saying: you’re as good as everyone

Clare Elwell Both women have developed their own strategies to defy the trend. you feel a bit fragile, but you know you’ve got to

Gender Stereotypes

get on with it.”

Petra describes herself as naturally quite shy. At

Despite 21st century expectations, dated female stereotypes are not yet a thing of the past. When

school, however, she clocked a male friend who

Clare was asked to be on an expert panel, she

was always dominant and outspoken largely to his

session started and this chap came up to me, gave me a pile of papers and said to me ‘oh excellent,

I never stopped. You have to be a bit on the cool

we’ve been waiting for the photocopying to be

side, not showing your feelings too much.”

done’. It became evident over the course of the day but I mean, what a desperately awful assumption to make.”

you’re doing. And there might be points where

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see

“

You’re as good as everyone else, just go out there and do it

”

approach her with new problems. A major strand of her research is developing systems to investigate brain injury and development. This has led her to investigate cognitive function, for example in autism. Recently she has been discussing the possibility of performing brain imaging on have imagined!” she laughs. Petra’s team aims to understand living systems on a minute scale – down to the movements of individual molecules. They have developed special

Petra Schwille

microscopes that use single molecule optics to

Taking Charge

bring biological phenomena back to their basic

Both scientists head large research groups with

headway,” she says. Her ultimate aim is to

watch proteins moving inside cells and through

principles: it’s very rewarding, and we’re making understand the transition between the non-living

a lot of management responsibility. Petra’s group

and the living world, and identify the minimal form

has just moved to the Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry near Munich. Clare’s is based at

I’m not sure whether we’ll ever be able to solve this question.”

running a small company. You manage large budgets, make grant applications and undertake

Unexpected Beginnings

a lot of supervision and training,” remarks Clare. Both women enthuse about their work, describing their jobs as the best in the world.

Petra discovered her passion for basic research in

For Clare, the variety of challenges fuels her interest.

Each

week

different

of what she might do. Was this open-mindedness

collaborators

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see

“

There’s a huge tide to turn but we need to keep going

”

a complete failure to be a woman,” she admits.

medicine. A talk on medical physics drew her

Brought up with the expectation that girls stay

chemistry and biology, and loved maths and physics,

at home and have children, as an only child with obvious academic ability, her father – an industrial

her family to attend university; they watched her

as if I were a boy. I had no family role model to

a bit weird for them! There’s no academic pedigree

support the belief that a woman was good for

in our family.”

something, and had no idea what would become Although there was no role model for academic

of me.”

success

Clare’s

immediate

family,

she

acknowledges how much they shaped her character:

Freshly graduated, she was shown around a lab by Nobel laureate Manfred Eigen at the Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry in Göttingen, Germany. During this visit she suddenly realised

Having two older brothers also meant she was at

lasers and microscopes. It was so beautiful, I

found myself at university as one of just ten women

really wanted to be there. From then on I wanted

in the year group of 100 students, it didn’t bother

to be a scientist.” This desire led to a PhD with

me.”

Eigen as her supervisor. For most of her career she has worked almost Clare found her direction in science

exclusively with men, without a female mentor,

earlier on. Aged seventeen she

boss or role model. Petra likewise admits there are

attended a residential summer and

uncomfortable. She has actively avoided looking

engineering focus. At that point

for role models. Growing up in southwest Germany

her mind was set on doing

in the 1970s, school subjects were all taught in

school

with

science

microscope objectives for single molecule experiments to make sure they were absolutely free of pollutants.” Petra Schwille

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see

“

Success should be based on talent and hard work, not looks and wanting it enough

”

system.” Instead, she admires character traits, such as humility and putting the needs of others

I can demonstrate it’s possible for others, that’d

before your own.

be a positive outcome. Good childcare and a supportive family have been important – it’s a

Changing Perspectives

constant balancing act.” She admits it’s unusual

Having children marked a turning point in both

the UK.

to manage a part-time career as a professor in

scientists’ attitudes to the lack of women in the

In Petra’s view, there’s little society need do to

at all, I never felt hindered by my sex,” says She wonders if it’s down to biology post-childbirth: since I had kids – and all three of them are girls

there.” Clare feels there’s a long way to gender

be based on talent and hard work, not looks and wanting it enough.”

turn. It’s depressing sometimes but we need to

Clare similarly admits concern about her daughter

Determined to help change the status quo, she

keep demonstrating that women have choices.” dedicates time to speaking at summer schools, or

approaching the ‘decision-making years’, not least

to the media, to explain why a career in science

really good contributor to society, but gets lost

idea – like Petra not knowing what the day-to-day

amid celebrity nonsense most of the time.” She

work of a scientist was, even though her father

is reluctant to be seen as a role model but happy

was a chemist. These things are so important.”

to have a successful career as a medical physicist

science, and I often end up solving problems in the water.” Clare Elwell

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comprehend

Maggie Aderin-Pocock shares her experience of building a successful career in science and raising a family

planet didn’t seem that far-fetched,” recalls Maggie Aderin-Pocock, whose imagination was sparked by TV’s space age mice at the age of two. The Clangers entertained a generation of children who had not long seen men land on the moon. In

that sort of idea but for me it stuck.”

Maggie Aderin-Pocock was challenging enough, so her efforts began in

Now a successful space scientist Maggie Aderin-

earnest on home ground, though a stark contrast

Pocock juggles the management of her science

between home and school soon became apparent.

communications company, BBC TV appearances, and a position as Science in Society ambassador at University College London, with motherhood.

drafts with my sisters and felt quite bright. But that

She talks candidly about how she got here.

all disappeared at school and I sulked at the back of the class.” Buoyed by support from her father she

Making Plans

always saying ‘work hard and you’ll be amazed at what you can achieve.’ I think I was lucky because

how she was going to get into space, overcoming

I believed him!”

challenges of race, gender and dyslexia in the I thought they’d be more sympathetic to women

the teacher asked ‘what does one cubic centimetre

space scientists and I didn’t like the idea of the USA

of water weigh?’ Initially hesitant to answer as

at the time. My sister told me about segregation;

the rest of the class went silent, Maggie correctly

I couldn’t believe it, the thought that because of the colour of my skin people would assume I’m

dyslexic, I was logical.” This revelation spurred

inferior and I’d have to sit at the back of the bus,

her on to study science outside of school with her

it just seemed mindboggling.”

father. Eventually she started attending evening classes on telescope making. Her teenage evening

Learning Russian felt impossible, one language

exploits would soon revolve around grinding two

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comprehend

“

Most people think of a scientist in a lab with test tubes. This is more like James Bond!

”

Working World

pieces of glass together for hours to make the could make something pretty cutting edge with my own hands.”

and got turned down. For some reason I applied to the Ministry of Defence.” Entering such a well-

The reward for her efforts would impact her

established male-dominated arena presented a

that much of the night’s sky because of cloud. But I remember pointing my telescope up at

to him my voice would go up two octaves!”

the moon and seeing its craters. It was brilliant. instrumentationalist.”

going to come in with my PhD from Imperial and

Maggie went on to complete a degree in physics

be all ‘hoighty-toighty’, so he wanted to bring me down a peg or two. When I arrived at work, he said

around 200. I think two of us were black and she was used to standing out in a crowd and

DIY so I did it!”

thoroughly enjoyed her degree. Inspired by her undergraduate tutor Professor David Southwood,

Despite the introduction, work at the MoD proved

who would later become the director of science and robotic exploration at the European Space

warning

systems,

potentially

saving

peoples

lives.” Not to mention the excitement of hands on

made her think: ‘I want to do what you do.’

an aircraft with a camera, collecting data of this

By the end of her degree Maggie became

missile plume smashing into a wall. I

interested in optics, which she applied to the

love showing kids this picture. Most

study of engine oils in high-pressure contacts

people think of a scientist in a lab with

during her PhD at Imperial under the supervision

test tubes. This is more like James

of Professor Hugh Spikes. She felt supported and

Bond!”

midst of a recession.

The Clangers space-age TV series entertained a generation of children who had not long seen men land on the moon.

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comprehend

made in the middle of a busy worldwide work trip. It made me believe I could do anything I put my mind to.” Maggie Aderin-Pocock

Space science loomed on the horizon as Maggie

Before she knew it the British Council was inviting

eventually left the MoD for UCL, to build an

her to give talks about space science all over the

instrument for the Gemini telescope – a project that would culminate in its construction in Chile.

many jobs have you got today Maggie? Five?

foothills of the Andes, where the skies are clear

everything and then I got pregnant.” The arrival of

every night and you can see the heart of the Milky

her daughter, Lauren, coincided with an irresistible

Way.” Landing a job in the space department led moon. Maggie’s husband used his annual leave from work to take care of their young daughter as they

on things like the James Webb space telescope and by an amazingly convoluted route I became a

brilliant and scary at the same time. Sometimes I’d

space scientist.”

turn up staring bleary eyed into the camera. I was

Juggling Jobs

the day.”

A move to Astrium, the world’s third largest space

Changing Minds

company, was to follow. Now married and with the prospect of starting a family, Maggie began laying the foundations of her science communications

Choosing to spend more time with her daughter,

company. Her involvement in education and

Maggie left Astrium to focus on public engagement.

public engagement was further fuelled when she

It was easier to bring her daughter along for the

Facilities Council (STFC) fellowships. Two more

front of 5000 women from the Women’s Institute

would follow, then an MBE in recognition of her

and Laurie came on stage with me. It’s a brilliant thing.” Not only for Maggie but also other women

kids in school. I was struggling to get more optical engineers to join my group at Astrium and

terms of getting a message across to the girls in

thought, as scientists we need to get out there

the audience. One girl came up to me at the end

and tell people.” Six years of school visits has seen

of a talk and said that seeing me on stage with my

Maggie reach 120,000 people.

baby made her think ‘I can do this’.”

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comprehend

“

Demonstrate you are capable and they won’t see colour or gender

”

Women who pursue careers in the physical

a bad thing.” Standing out brings challenges introduced to a new team, I can see them thinking ‘Who’s this? She’s black, she’s female, she doesn’t look like an engineer’. I’m under a lot of scrutiny at that stage and when someone hits a problem, I need to show that I have the technical prowess to understand their problems and solve them quickly.”

Kathy Sykes

What may have initially proved a challenge in

Physicist Kathy Sykes encourages researchers

career wouldn’t have done half as well if I were

public, in her position as professor of sciences

across all subject areas to get engaged with the and society at the University of Bristol. Her

white, middle-aged and male. If I do something

commitment to public engagement with science

brilliant, I’m going to be remembered. If I do

was honoured in 2006 with the Royal Society Kohn

something awful, I’m still going to be remembered

Award. Most recognised for presenting the TV

because I’m out there.”

series Rough Science, Kathy is actively involved in communicating science not only through TV, but by contributing to the creation and direction of events such as the Cheltenham Science Festival

thinking ‘oh god I’m the only black person here,

and NESTA Famelab. Helping inform Government

I’m the only woman here’ puts additional pressure

policy on science and technology, she is also a

on us. Demonstrate you are capable and they

member of the Council for Science and Technology

won’t see colour or gender.”

(CST). Kathy began her career with a PhD in biodegradable plastics and is now one of the UK’s leading science communicators.

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Suffrage heirloom Jewellery

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suffrage heirloom jewellery

‘Suffrage’ comes from the French word meaning ‘vote’. A hundred years have not yet passed since women were granted the right to vote. Emmeline Pankhurst and Louise Eates spent the late 19th and early 20th centuries protesting for equal rights. These famous suffragettes were presented with specially commissioned pieces of jewellery by the Women’s Social and Political Union to acknowledge their important

Portrait of Emmeline Pankhurst courtesy of Museum of London

Jewellery Design Competition Second year students taking the BA in Jewellery Design at Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design participated in a competition to have their designs made for leading women scientists. Two winning designs, by Lola Lou and Diana Dong, were selected by a panel of judges for production. Pendants and brooches were crafted courtesy of Martin Baker for the scientists featured in this publication. Jewellery will be passed on as ‘science heirlooms’ to encourage young female researchers. A selection of student using green (hope), white (purity) and purple (dignity) – are featured on the following pages. Course Tutor: Sian Evans, Course Director: Caroline Broadhead

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suffrage heirloom jewellery: winning design

Diana Dong

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suffrage heirloom jewellery: winning design

Lola Lou

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