Updates & News
Today is election day in the United States. Who we elect today will lead our action - or inaction - on climate change, reproductive rights, immigration policy, and countless other consequential societal challenges. We cast our votes knowing that this is both an essential responsibility and a privilege.
This week on #MeetAScientist, get to know Alex Phillips, a graduate student in organic geochemistry at Caltech and the founder of the Instagram account @women.doing.science. The account features women in STEM fields sharing their research stories, as they change the idea of what a scientist looks like. In addition to following their stories on Instagram, you can find them on Facebook and Twitter.
With regard to social justice, October did not go well. We have been busy pushing back, and meanwhile let’s use today - Dia de las Muertos - to mark a new day and refresh our energy. As Dr Zuleyka Zevallos, an applied sociologist highlights in her blog “ ‘The concept of resistance is an important cultural/ political aspect of Día de los Muertos.’” She suggests watching this film to better grasp this holiday based on post-colonialsim and celebrating life. Just 4 more days until we vote in the USA. #GOTV!
This week on #MeetAScientist get to know Dr. Diana de la Iglesia is a bioinformatician working at the intersection of artificial intelligence and cancer research. She’s also one of the Pod coordinators of 500 Women Scientists Madrid. Along with three fellow women scientists—Ana Isabel Gozález, María de la Fuente, and Carmen Agustín—she co-organized the #oCientificaoMadre ( #ScientistorMother) campaign to raise visibility around the challenges that come with being a scientist and a mother. Here, she talks about her work, the success of the campaign, and her ideas for the Madrid Pod.
Tomorrow the Tucson pod is helping us host our 4th board meeting. Every 6 months we meet with our leadership and advisory board members, assess our progress from the last year and identity plans for the upcoming year. Because almost all our communication happens via conference calls, slack, and emails, this is a special opportunity for the board to meet face to face. These meetings and our progress in the last 2 years would not be possible without the generous donations of our supporters and subscribers, so thank you!
This last week we have been focusing our effort on amplifying the awesome work of our #sistersinSTEM. If you haven’t yet, check out #MeTooSTEM and consider donating to their efforts. At the same time, Science-a-Thon is in full swing; follow the #DayofScience hashtag to see what everyone is up to. Let us know what else you are up to, we love getting your messages! Enjoy the weekend.
New (amazing) 500WS shirts are available! Get yours today.
Everything you need for the midterms. #500WSVotes
A clothing apparel line for women scientists #meetascientist
October is the best month for a flu shot.
Need ideas for your next pod meeting? #podoftheweek
Communication in art and science.
Follow Friday: @MeTooSTEM, @KeoluFox, @FaithOsier
Overcoming decades of mistrust.
Guerilla Science Conference 2018, NYC.
Comment on candidates for EPA Sci Board.
Give the public the tools to trust scientists.
Paths to success for African scientists.
This week on #MeetAScientist, get to know Dr. Beau Wangtrakuldee, a medicinal chemist and founder of AmorSui, a clothing apparel line for women scientists. Beau shares how she was inspired to start the line with evidence-based design practices and what drives the work she does today.
I’m really wishing I was at the @SACNAS conference right now, they are having all the fun and celebrating 45 years! This week felt like we had some wins, or at least that progress was being made. I may have got carried away with the links, but there was so much good stuff to share. Find out what you might have missed or just reread the highs of the week. Happy Friday friends.
Know Your Rights: Legal Literacy Training for Scientists
Show support for indigenous people in STEM
Interconnectedness of justice #meetascientist
Celebrate Ada Lovelace and change the internet.
End the stigma #internationalmentalhealthday
Imagine Science Film Festival (NYC)
The credibility of women and of scientists. #believewomen
Follow Friday: @erinspice, @sacnas, @BakingSodaVolc, @DrPortiaFlow
Making progress with ScienceMag.
Help #metooSTEM reach their goal!
Golden Scholars fellowship for DACA students.
Overcoming ideas of disability.
Taking #BlackandSTEM to a new level.
The constancy of coming out. #QueerandSTEM
Yesterday was #indigenouspeoplesday. Toady we ask you to take action and show your support for indigenous people in STEM:
Follow, listen and amplify indigenous folks of STEM. Dr. Kat Milligan-Myhre put together a this list of people to follow, and a great thread on how to show your support.
Use this online map or application to find the indigenous land and language of where you are. Acknowledge the indigenous land and people at the beginning of meetings or during your science talks (for example, you can add a slide of acknowledgement at the end).
Consider a donation to SACNAS. The SACNAS annual conference takes place next week and @500WomenSci will be there - let us know if you want to meet up!
Make a Wikipedia page of an indigenous scientist! There are plenty of WikiProjects to get involved with, whether you’re in Australia, North America or elsewhere.
Indigenous and looking for a group of folks who can support you? Check your University for a local chapter or indigenous student groups!
This week on #MeetAScientist, get to know Jewel Lipps, a graduate student in ecology and a member of the 500 Women Scientists leadership team. Jewel is currently leading our 500 Women Scientists Vote campaign geared towards getting out the vote leading up to the consequential 2018 midterm elections. In this interview, she shares her thoughts on the intersection of biodiversity and social justice and what keeps her motivated to keep organizing and pushing for change.
I can’t decide about this week.. on the one hand I (probably like many of you) spent a bit of time screaming at the internet about the sexism and misogyny that is deeply rooted in society. On the other hand, women were awarded the noble prize both in physics AND chemistry! If, like me, you aren’t sure where to put your energy, here are some ideas: sign up for the Science-a-Thon, join Black Fridays, or become a 500WS subscriber.
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