Why I’m Blogging
In my "real" life, I increasingly find myself in a position to give my opinion on issues surrounding women and science. This scares me. For as much as I have thought about the matter, I am never sure what it is safe to say. Suppose that you were in a room with three senior, white male professors in your field, ones who were variously former presidents of your professional society, chairs of your department, and members of the National Academy. Would you really want to describe to them how many of the women you know in science have problems with lack of confidence? Or describe how the drop in women’s fertility at age 35 makes it almost impossible to wait until after tenure to have a baby? Inevitably, the question follows: "So, is that a problem for you?" Say "yes," and you are taking a big risk, hoping that they will not interpret what are really systemic problems as something that is wrong with you and your commitment to science– possibly impacting upon your career.
I am using this blog to work out what I am willing to say, to whom, and how. While I write under a pseudonym, the opinions I express in my posts often come up later in real conversation. Having worked out already what I believe, it is much easier to take a stand– and it turns out that most of my opinions aren’t terribly controversial after all.
One of the categories on this blog is "Socially-useful science and technology." So far, this category has gotten short shrift. I have mostly used it to talk about socially useful psychology, in particular work that impacts on gender issues in the sciences. In part, this is due to the giant backlog of women-in-science stories in my head that wanted to get out– see for example "boiled frog." But as I head into this fall’s application and hiring cycle, I’m hoping to give give the question of how science and technology impact society more serious thought, and to figure out where I want to be on the basic science v. applied science continuum.
Perhaps turn it back to the generic? “I’d prefer not to get into my own personal stories, but I will say that many of my female colleagues have faced similar issues.” Kind a weak, I know, but I would have a hard time telling my own personal stories to this type of audience.
Comment by femaleCSGradStudent — July 31, 2006 @ 4:35 am
That was an interesting issue that came up at BlogHer; how public one is willing to be. We think it is so risky to voice our real views but sometimes once they are out there, we find a lot of others think the same and maybe anonymity wasn’t required. What change-the-world responsibility do we have to get our views out there publicly? Your point is interesting, when you work it out anonymously, you later use it publicly. Maybe just getting it out and looking at it first is important.
Comment by Melanie Swan — July 31, 2006 @ 5:16 am
Thanks for the comment on my blog, Dr. Shellie, and the associated post on why you blog. I’m looking forward to seeing what you post as “socially useful.” I also agree with the bit about using the blog to work out what you want to say and to whom, although I’m not ready to talk about race with anyone yet (a subject of several recent posts). I also find the lure of instant publication to be addictive, and keeping my blog focused on my topic to be a challenge. But including a list of CSA food and photos of vacations and such seems to represent my life more authentically… I guess it’s good to keep a balance.
Comment by skookumchick — July 31, 2006 @ 1:58 pm
It seems impressive to me that the older guys are even asking about women’s issues in the science profession. But I guess that’s because my experience dates from a decade ago when it was stiff upper lip for the women, no questioning the culture allowed.
Anyway, I didn’t stay in physics long enough to do anything to bring about any change from within. But I think that you should feel encouraged to speak honestly about the very real issues that women face having to do with fertility and supportive atmosphere.
The fact is, even these old guys have wives and daughters. The needs of professional women may have been invisible to the scientific top brass a generation ago, but they want their daughters to have the opportunity to live as full and satisfying a life as possible. I remember reading around the time that Princeton was celebrating 20 years of coeducation back in 1989 that many alumni who initially opposed the move suddenly realized that they had daughters who just might possibly want to attend Princeton themselves someday. So just because someone has white hair doesn’t mean that he’s not going to be sympathetic to your concerns. And just because someone is of your generation doesn’t mean they’ll “get it” either.
Male postdocs should also be speaking up about family issues, too. Last time I checked it takes two to make a baby.
Comment by Kristin — July 31, 2006 @ 4:15 pm
Hey, Dr. Shellie!
It was fun talking with you at BlogHer at our impromptu “feminist BOF.” I wish you much luck and success with your job search, and if you ever have an occasion to visit a certain college, come find me!
Best,
xeroxpoet
Comment by xeroxpoet — August 1, 2006 @ 12:32 am
Anonymity in blogging is a buffer and frees one’s fingers to present problematic notions, but as a professional writer, when an anonymous blogger attacks my positions, I consider them cowards.
Comment by Holly Capote — August 1, 2006 @ 5:48 pm