This week English biochemist Tim Hunt said that women in laboratories “fall in love with you and when you criticise them, they cry”.
Hunt, who admitted he has a reputation for being a “chauvinist”, said to the World Conference of Science Journalists in Seoul, South Korea: “Let me tell you about my trouble with girls. Three things happen when they are in the lab. You fall in love with them, they fall in love with you and when you criticise them, they cry.”
Despite numerous education initiatives, the number of women in science, technology or engineering (Stem) has remained low. According to statistics from HESA, computer science has the fewest amount of undergraduate female students with only 18% with only 13% of people working in Stem occupations, according to campaign group Wise. However research out last year suggests that more female students are interested in studying Stem subjects beyond A-Level.
If you’re a female student studying science we’d like to hear from you. Has your experience been positive or have you encountered discrimination? We’d also like to hear from male students and their views on the issue. Let us know what you think and we will use the most interesting contributions in our reporting.
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