Articles & Blog Posts

Frank Robert Coe: April 17 1932 — June 17 2019

My father was trained as a scientist and, professionally, he would be considered an analytical or industrial chemist. He was significant in leading research into new and improved ways of welding — and he was influential in improving the quality of welding, central to so many aspects of industry, in UK and around the world. Both professionally and personally, he was someone who helped to create and form strong and sustainable bonds that were relevant in a broader context.

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In the many years I have been a professor, convocation has always been one of my favourite events. I’m very grateful for the opportunity to be here to celebrate this culmination of your hard work over the several years of your university education. Perhaps you are among the first in your family to go to university, perhaps you had to juggle multiple jobs and family commitments while attending school, perhaps you weren’t always sure you belonged or you were welcome in your program, or even that you would make it through. But you have! And I want to say to each and everyone one of you, you belong here. You deserve to be here. We are grateful and privileged to be in this convocation venue with you.

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All-male panels have become known derisively as "manels" and have their own Tumblr blog. The range of topics on which men (and usually white men) are, apparently, exclusively experts is impressive and includes (but is not limited to) sustainable cities, infection biology, street photography, forestry research, youth economics, bioinformatics, block-chain technology and, remarkably, obstetrics, gynecology and infertility. 

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The hit movie Hidden Figures celebrates the three African-American women mathematicians who helped NASA win the race to space in 1961. Much has been written about their achievements, but many commentators and the broader public appears to have missed the essential and necessary shift in culture and context, through changes in behaviour and attitudes of the white male co-workers, played by Kevin Costner, Jim Parsons in addition to white female boss, Kirsten Dunst. Attitudes and workplace culture must change to ensure accessibility and not everyone has the persistence of those Hidden Figures. 

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Most entrepreneurs I meet present themselves as confident, resilient and savvy people who are quick on their feet and always ready to pitch their company to potential clients or investors. Science students could truly benefit from this kind of training to communicate the value and excitement of their science. Storytelling is especially important in science because, as someone once said to me, science is not complete until it is communicated.

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Unfortunately, women remain underrepresented in the tech sector. Research shows that women make up only between 10 per cent and 20 per cent of tech-related jobs at tech companies. Why should women and girls learn to code? Here are a few reasons.

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Everyone has a budding inner scientist with natural curiosity about the world. Science offers a way to find answers to the questions we had as kids and may still have as adults. Helping kids nurture their inner scientist and encouraging them to develop the skills needed to investigate and understand the world around them will help them become scientifically literate adults.

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Social media is a powerful tool that can be used to bring about positive change for women in science. Two recent events involving senior, highly-regarded scientists demonstrate the growing importance of social media as a catalyst for change in science. It is time for the media to pay more attention to those scientists, who happen to be women, and who are woefully under and mis-represented in all media. Women in science all around the world have found a common voice that has never existed before, on this scale or in this form.

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I sent the e-mail below to the American Academy for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) in response to the advice column published by Science Careers in May. The article, written by well-known molecular biologist Dr. Alice Huang, provided advice for 'Bothered,' a postdoctoral researcher who needed guidance on how to handle her advisor who was "looking down her shirt." Huang wrote: “As long as your adviser does not move on to other advances, I suggest you put up with it, with good humour if you can.”

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Women are underrepresented in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields. The underlying reasons for this gender imbalance are complex but research suggests gender stereotyping from the earliest age impacts the enrollment of women in STEM.

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In September, I attended the Ontario University Fair, one of the biggest university fairs on the continent. There, I spent many hours talking to prospective students and their parents about earning a degree in STEM -- science, technology, engineering and math. Here are some of the reasons to pursue a STEM education.

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Four key STEM attributes that help develop leadership abilities and skill-sets. Identifying these attributes for young women shows how they can use a STEM education to become a future leader in any field.

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