I enjoy spending time in the lofty realm of scientific concepts, but it's important to remember that science is also a very concrete, human activity that occurs in specific contexts. The particulars of those contexts can strongly shape the practices and outcomes, no matter how we might wish that science is a purely democratic, egalitarian pursuit of truth (or Truth). This interview of A. Hope Jahren, author of Lab Girl, was a striking reminder of those human elements. As the piece notes, Jahren is not typical of … [Read more...] about Science Corner: Lab Girl
academic careers for women
Find Your Voice and Own It: Women and the Academic Life
Thank-you to J. Nathan Matias (@natematias), Research Assistant, MIT Media Lab Center for Civic Media, for venturing into and reporting on Women and the Academic Life as part of his Urbana12 series.* We're looking forward to your responses to this material -- any seminar participants with thoughts to add? Note: In addition to ESN's mentoring resources, be sure to visit The Well -- a website designed to support women in graduate and professional schools and women faculty as they seek, in their full and complex … [Read more...] about Find Your Voice and Own It: Women and the Academic Life
The Well: How open are you about your faith?
I've mentioned The Well here on the blog before —it's a terrific resource put together by our colleagues with InterVarsity's Women in the Academy and Professions. While their focus is, well, women in the academy and professions, anyone interested in the navigating the intersection between Christianity and the academy ought to be reading The Well. One of their regular features is Dear Mentor, which poses a question to several experienced mentors from academia and the professional world. This month's The Well email … [Read more...] about The Well: How open are you about your faith?
Does Academe Hinder Parenthood?
Anyone have observations, experience, or additional research to address the question raised by the Does Academe Hinder Parenthood? The Inside Higher Ed piece begins: Numerous reports and accounts suggest that balancing parenthood and academic careers can be difficult, particularly for women. Two new studies suggest that, possibly as a result, many female academics may be opting not to have kids. … [Read more...] about Does Academe Hinder Parenthood?