Enough talk. There are ways we can help women in science now | Athene Donald

Much has been said about Tim Hunt's dismissal. Now we must all take concrete actions to eradicate sexism, whether blatant or subtle, from labs and classrooms

If nothing else, the furore over Sir Tim Hunt's remarks in Seoul to a lunch of women journalists has shone a laser beam on the lot of women in science. I hope this illumination can stimulate widespread action in institutions across the world, eradicating some of the many manifest inequities women all too often face.

Opinions have varied on just how unacceptable Hunt's remarks were or how much latitude should be allowed because they were a failed attempt at humour in an off-the-cuff, brief speech of welcome. (On Saturday, eight Nobel-winning scientists criticised the summary dismissal of Hunt by University College London.) Nevertheless, for many - though not for me - he is likely to remain the exemplar for all that is bad about the sexist culture that is still endemic in science, as across the whole of our society.

Continue reading...