New UK Science Head Blasts Macho Culture

Who Countries EUROPE: New UK Science Head Blasts Macho Culture

For the first time in its 171 years, the Royal Society of Chemistry has elected a female president, and she is already speaking out against the government’s failure to help women in excel in scientific fields, where they are currently lagging behind despite educational advancement. The Guardian reports that Royal Society president-elect Professor Lesley Yellowlees plans to use her position at the Society, which is 48,000 members strong, to influence the government to action.

In the UK, men are 6 times more likely to work in science than women

Fewer than 30% of female science, tech, math, and engineering grads are employed in their area of training (compared to half of male grads)

In the chemistry field, 50% of undergrads are female, yet only 6% of professors are women

“I absolutely believe that women are every bit as clever, as good, as able as men. We can’t lose them.” — Professor Lesley Yellowlees

Yellowlees blames the problem on a number of factors:

Inflexible working hours
A macho culture
“Old boys’ club” recruitment policies

She has also spoken out about the UK science minister’s decision to terminate funding for the UK Resource Centre for Women, the country’s only body dedicated to providing grants and advice for women.

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