Your obituary of the astrophysicist Carole Jordan (31 March) describes a life dedicated to making important discoveries about the complex nature of the universe. These inspiring discoveries could not have been made by sending rockets to the moon, but perhaps the excitement generated by the latter will encourage more young people to study physics and astrophysics. Contributing to the funding in these areas would be a wonderful way for billionaires to establish a name for themselves, and much cheaper than sending rockets into space.
The obituary mentions that Carole was “a formidable advocate for women in science”. She was exemplary not only through her scientific achievements but through being caught in the trap of Oxford’s male-biased ad hominem promotions system.
In the 1990s, after being made a fellow of the Royal Society, she failed to gain promotion, adding to the groundswell from other female academics that resulted in the Oxford promotions system being changed to a fairer one.
Gillian Morriss-Kay
Emeritus professor of developmental anatomy, University of Oxford
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