Discussion questions

[STEMMinist]

Q1. In the intro of “Inferior”, @AngelaDSaini reflects on the loneliness of being a “girl geek”. Did you relate to this section, and do you think social media has changed this for the better?

[STEMMinist]

Q2. What did you make of the correspondence between Darwin & Caroline Kennard described in Ch1 of “Inferior”? How can we reconcile our views of scientific “heroes” in light of their views on gender?

[STEMMinist]

Q3. Many scientists pride themselves on their objectivity, yet they are also human & possess their own biases. What are the best ways to convince our STEMM colleagues to acknowledge and check their own bias & privilege?

[STEMMinist]

Q4. Are there examples in your own field/specialty where you feel that there exists gender bias in regards to research topics or conclusions?

[STEMMinist]

Q5. After reading “Inferior”, have any of your views about biological differences between men and women changed? Why/why not?

[STEMMinist]

Q6. One criticism of “Inferior” has been that @AngelaDSaini is more sympathetic to female researcher led studies. Do you think agree/disagree? As self-declared feminists in STEMM, do we risk succumbing to the same bias we accuse others of?

[STEMMinist]

Q7. What was the most surprising thing you learnt from reading “Inferior”?

[STEMMinist]

Q8. “Female cooperation makes the difference” @AngelaDSaini How can we work together as STEMMinists to confront gender bias & inequity in STEMM fields?

[Rosie]

STEMMinist wrote: "Q1. In the intro of “Inferior”, @AngelaDSaini reflects on the loneliness of being a “girl geek”. Did you relate to this section, and do you think social media has changed this for the better?"

I definitely remember at school being one of only a couple of girls that would count as being a geek. I was lucky I had another female friend to share my interest with science fiction and science with. That it was a mainly male dominated area felt pretty clear though.

[Rosie]

STEMMinist wrote: "Q2. What did you make of the correspondence between Darwin & Caroline Kennard described in Ch1 of “Inferior”? How can we reconcile our views of scientific “heroes” in light of their views on gender?"

I was very disappointed to read the part about Darwin, especially as in other ways I had thought of him as fairly progressive regarding women, encouraging the education of his own daughters. It's a stark reminder that even those who can give valid and important contributions to things are still human and have failures. Also a great example of socially conditioned and unconscious bias.