Throughout history, women have been denied the acknowledgement they deserve for their contribution to science. Rosalind Franklin received a doctorate in Physical Chemistry from Cambridge University, and played a key role in deciphering the structure of DNA molecules following her extensive work in x-rays.
However, it was James Watson, Francis Crick and Maurice Wilkins who were awarded the credit for the work and who received Nobel Prizes.
Educators have noted that some girls may be deterred from studying STEM subjects at school as they’re seen as “male” subjects, and now it’s estimated that only 13% of STEM workers are women.
Now, women in STEM are fighting back and challenging gender stereotypes. Twitter has become a public platform for female scientists to express their humour, opinions, scientific research and whatever else they feel like.
Here are 8 female scientists you should follow on twitter.
Bio: Analytical chemist. Left Coaster in the No Coast Zone. Sarcastic & silly.#ShadeBrigade. Near meaningless disclaimer: tweets = personal ≠ professional.
Raychelle Burks’ twitter feed is full of funny and honest interactions. She discusses science and issues such as gender, race and equality – often commenting on current events such as celebrity speeches and racial or gender-related stories in the news.
Raychelle creates and presents informative videos with ACS Reactions (a YouTube channel that appeared in our post on the Internet’s Best Chemistry Resources.)
If you say you "embellished" the facts, those damn facts better be covered in sequins, fringe, bows, lace, or beads. Otherwise, you LIED.
Bio: Mostly grumpy. Went from #realtimechem‘ist to working with@ChemistryWorld. Still has no idea what’s going on.
The Grumpy Chemist runs a Chemistry blog where she puts her grumpy cat illustrations (like the one here). Her twitter feed is full of photos that document her work in the lab or humorous day-to-day observations.
Evil egg white proteins staring back at me after I had so cruelly denatured them. Kitchen#realtimechem pic.twitter.com/xcbSAfaH10
Bio: Read Science! host, book lover, biology lecturer, former international model, STEM advocate. Mashable says my tweets will make you smarter
Joanne Manaster appeared on Mashable’s list of twitter accounts that will make you smarter. Joanne promotes the use of social media for scientists to share their work and gain more recognition, and she was interviewed by The Chemical Blog where she goes into more detail about her interest in science communication.
Bio: (a.k.a. Dr Katherine J Mack) astrophysicist, occasional freelance science writer, connoisseur of airplane food
Dr Katherine Mack is an astrophysicist who makes use of her twitter popularity (around 20k followers) to tweet mini stories about her journey to receiving a PhD and why it can be difficult for young people to overcome the norms set by society.
There are kids who could be great scientists who believe it when told science isn’t for them. They shouldn’t have to change; society should.
Bio: Freelance science writer, author of Science Sushi, & PhD in Cell & Molecular Biology w/ a specialization in Ecology, Evolution & Conservation Biology
Dr Christie Wilcox earned her degree in cell and molecular biology. She often writes and shares articles that steer away from the safe and ordinary, helping to gather new crowds to the science scene.
Renée Webster is an analytical chemist who specialises in the application of advanced separation of fuels and lubricants. You’ll find a funny and casual tone to her tweets on a variety of subjects.
got petrol on my hand while filling up this morning and I can still smell it and it is so gross #fuelscientistwhome
If you know any other female scientists with a great twitter account that combines funny and sarcastic tweets with scientific findings and observations, please let us know in the comments section below.
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