We need more women in science
Jul 16 2009 By Stewart Watkins, The Journal
NUCLEAR physicist Marie Curie was voted the most inspirational female scientist of all time in a recent survey. Hers is a household name and reminds us science and technology is not a gender specific sector and yet it is an area where women are still seriously under-represented.
The New Scientist survey saw Marie Curie, who discovered that radiation could treat cancer, take a quarter of the votes.
Only two contemporary female scientists were in the top ten, astrophysicist Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell came fourth and primatologist Dr Jane Goodall was tenth.
The magazine flagged up an important point which is the lack of readily recognisable female role models in this industry and the impact this had on the uptake of science and technology related careers among women.
A two-year research study funded by the Economic and Social Research Council found that women account for only 5.6% of the science and technology professionals in the North East compared with the UK average of 14%.
The study, led by Professor Pooran Wynarczyk, director of the small enterprise and research unit (SERU) at the Business School at Newcastle University was published in March 2007 and led to the establishment of the North East of England Role Model Platform for Innovative Women.
The aim of this platform was to focus on promoting scientific activities and discoveries amongst women and girls in the North East and to aid their entry and career progression in scientific fields.
CDDC manages the North East Technology Park (NETPark) which has been named as one of seven innovation connectors in the region and is taking part in a European science and community engagement programme.
We are also working with local schools such as Framwellgate School in Durham to reach out to a younger generation.
The New Scientist's survey demonstrates the need to get as many people as we can – both male and female – to be enthusiastic about science and technology both in terms of the role it plays in pushing back the boundaries but, perhaps more importantly, as a serious and successful career path right here in the North East.
Stewart Watkins is managing director of the County Durham Development Company
