Retorts

Science Roles

I support the comments you made in GIGO [June]. While some inspiration is undoubtedly provided by role models such as you, it is certainly true that "the male side of the equation has to be addressed".

It is often suggested that there are few women in science because there are few role models. After a detailed study of the performance of women in science, Professor Eileen Byrne concluded that this explanation is politically convenient because it absolves men from blame: it suggests the problem is the historic failure of women to reach senior positions.

In fact, when the level of female participation in research degrees was analysed for the Australian university system, there was no significant difference between departments with women in senior positions as role models and all-male departments. The key factor is whether there are mentors who make a point of encouraging able women to develop their potential. This is a responsibility which all scientists, male and female, should accept.

At Griffith University, we found that able women were not proceeding to Honours because of the pressure of parents and peers. Ten years ago, women were half of all the undergraduates and a third of the Honours students; in science, they were 40% of all students and only 25% of the Honours group. Some affirmative action, in the form of deliberate encouragement of women with the capacity for further study, has worked wonders. Women are now proceeding to honours at the same rate as men.

Keep up the good work as a role model, but keep reminding male scientists that they also have a role in making science an equal opportunity profession!

Ian Lowe, School of Science, Griffith University, Queensland