For too long, the loudest and most overrepresented voices of science in the public were from cis white men — their perspectives are elevated and amplified in high-profile articles, conference panels, and boards. Media stories are assigned, reported, and presented by men by a huge margin, and this imbalance is reflected in how frequently women are consulted and quoted. Most keynote speakers at conferences are men. Panels are so frequently all-male that a new word evolved to describe the phenomenon: manels.
It is time for a change.
Today, we are introducing Gage, the world’s largest directory of brilliant women and gender minority experts. Gage has the same backbone and mission as Request, but updated with a more inclusive language for gender minorities. It also has a sleeker design and highlights the different existing and possible uses of the directory to support increased engagement.
Gage is named after suffragette Matilda Gage after whom the Matilda Effect is dubbed. The Matilda Effect refers to the tendency to overlook the roles, contributions and achievements of women in scientific progress, innovation, and invention.
Read more about why we founded the Request a Woman in STEMM platform and why it has evolved to become Gage.