Multimedia Recommendations:
Lessons in Chemistry (2022)- A novel written by Bonnie Garmus
Bonnie Garmus’ Lessons in Chemistry follows Elizabeth Zott, a brilliant young chemist struggling to make a career, a family, and a name for herself in a male-dominated 1960’s California. While Zott’s story is fictional, her struggles epitomize the sacrifices and hardships women in STEM continue to face today. From lab to kitchen and back again, this celebration of female empowerment will make you both laugh and cry.
Now a TV show on Apple TV+!
“Whenever you start doubting yourself,” she said, turning back to the audience, “whenever you feel afraid, just remember. Courage is the root of change—and change is what we’re chemically designed to do. So when you wake up tomorrow, make this pledge. No more holding yourself back. No more subscribing to others’ opinions of what you can and cannot achieve. And no more allowing anyone to pigeonhole you into useless categories of sex, race, economic status, and religion. Do not allow your talents to lie dormant, ladies. Design your own future. When you go home today, ask yourself what you will change. And then get started.”
Picture a Scientist (2020)- A documentary directed by Sharon Shattuck and Ian Cheney
“If you don’t have women, you’ve lost half of the best people.” -Nancy Hopkins
This documentary follows the careers of three female scientists (biologist Nancy Hopkins, chemist Raychelle Burks, and geoscientist Jane Willenbring) as they navigate the world of academic research. Their narratives, combined with interviews from women across a spectrum of scientific fields, depict a hostile landscape of sexual harassment, discrimination, instances of mistaken identity, racism, and a fear of reprisal— all facets of the gender discrimination that continues to plague research institutions today.
The Boston Globe called the film “quietly devastating.” Find out more about Picture a Scientist here. Also available on Netflix!
Resources:
- Wisdom from the great Ben Barres on choosing a graduate advisor and whether gender matters
More Food For Thought:
- Despite the progress we’ve made, most American STEM jobs are still held by white men. Read the full 2023 NSF report here.
- Nature‘s “Women in science” collection- featured articles outlining challenges faced by women in STEM and how we can promote change. Also check out their “Diversity and scientific careers” resources.
- A striking illustration of the underfunding of women’s health research