500 Women Scientists

This week on #MeetAScientist, get to know Shaila Kotadia, Director of Culture and Inclusion at Stanford University and a member of 500 Women Scientists’ advisory board. Shaila received her PhD in Genetics and Developmental Biology, and now works to eliminate barriers in STEM through building creative programs, mitigating bias, and changing policies and practices. In this interview, she chats about her work in the equity and inclusion space, as well as a little bit of her #SciMomJourney.

Today, we look to the students from around the world who have walked out of school to demand action on climate. We’re reminded that it’s not enough to draw inspiration from them today if we fail to act on climate tomorrow. 500 Women Scientists reaffirms our commitment to advocate for science-based policies that promote equity and justice—and leave the world a better place for the generations ahead!

This week on #MeetAScientist get to know Dr. Liz McCullagh, a neuroscientist and leadership team member of 500 Women Scientists. She has co-led some of our major initiatives like the Request a Woman Scientist resource and our newly launched #SciMomJourney campaign to raise awareness around challenges facing science moms in STEM fields and connecting them to resources and support. In this interview, she chats about these initiatives and what has propelled her through her career in science.

Happy International Women’s Day! We are excited to be celebrating by raising a pint with our pods. Tag us on twitter or instagram (@500WomenSci) and let us know how you are celebrating. And as put by Athene Donald, let’s also honor those forced out of science. Thank you to everyone in our network, we are so grateful to you and the important work you do!

Our goal for this week: build someone up, because empowered women empower women. There are many ways to support the women around you: you can mentor; use this trick during meetings; listen to and amplify the voices of women of color; or maybe make a wikipedia page. How do you encourage and build up the women around you?

A current conversation in US academic spaces and on #AcademicTwitter is the role that the GRE (Graduate Record Examinations) has in STEM grad school admissions and the reasons why it acts as a barrier to access for a lot of folks, especially people of color, international students, and folks from disadvantaged backgrounds. As put by wokeSTEM, the GRE is “a deeply structured and institutionalized barrier for diversifying STEM”.

“..every single day in America, 137 black women die from a preventable disease, heart disease. That's every 11 minutes.” -T. Morgan Dixon

February is Black History Month in the United States. This Tuesday, and for the entire month of February, take some time to learn more about African American artists, authors, scientists, and activists. Support and amplify their stories.

For #blackhistorymonth, Black Panther is back in theaters! This could be a great pod gathering and another opportunity to see the brilliant scientist, Shuri on the big screen ! How else are you all planning to honor and celebrate #blackhistorymonth? Let us know! Enjoy the weekend, and for those in the polar vortex, stay safe!

This week on #TakeActionTuesday, 500 Women Scientists asks you to #StandWithBennett to ensure the continued accreditation of Bennett College, one of two remaining historically black colleges for women. We’ll also keep working to keep the government open and prevent future shutdowns, which only serve to harm science and our society.

Last weekend many from our organization marched - in a women’s march, on #MLK day and for #indigenouspeoplesmarch. We love to see you all out there standing up for social justice and taking steps towards breaking down a system that truly only supports on a few and holds back most. We know alone, marching will not bring change, but it does bring us together, helps build our network, and makes us stronger when we return home to enact the necessary changes - to make science more open, inclusive, and accessible. Thank you everyone for what you do. Enjoy your well earned weekend!

There is about a week left to weigh in on proposed changes to Title IX that will affect student and employees of educational institutions from discrimination based on sex and sexual harassment. Or as ‘Catherine Lhamon, a former assistant secretary for civil rights in the Obama administration, said the consequences of the rule would be devastating for survivors: “It seems like encouragement for schools to stick their heads in the sand and ignore information readily available to them,”.’

To continue celebrating National Mentoring Month, this week’s #TakeActionTuesday is focused on recognizing and thanking the mentors in our life. #ThankYouTuesday

Hey friends, how are you doing this week? How is your #selfcare routine? Are you exercising? Making time for your own thoughts? Making time away from your computer to be with your friends and family? Maybe a goal for the weekend? Sunday I have 4 conference calls so on Saturday I am leaving my computer and phone and home and plan to get time outside! I also plan to take a nap, I can’t wait! Big hug and see you next week.